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word of advice

word of advice

34 2.8
A short helpful suggestion that warns about a possible problem
  • noun
translation icon : consejo
  • May I give you a word of advice?
  • give you a word of advice
  • one word of advice
  • Just a word of advice

But before we do that, I want to issue you with a word of advice.

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Examples

  • First, a word of advice: Magic tricks can be tricky.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Dalmar, let me give you a word of advice: don't try to copy anyone.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Now, may I give you a word of advice?

  • Mind if I give you a word of advice?

  • My last word of advice to you is this...

  • Now, a word of advice, I would leave this island and not come back.

  • A few words of advice before you begin:

    Academic text (2011)
  • I would have welcomed a word of advice from an older colleague.

  • A word of advice: Sometimes it's best to let those hard-to-reach chips go.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • I would like to offer you a word of advice about managing your finances wisely.

Synonyms

advice
vsword of advice
1.0

An opinion or suggestion about what someone should do

is narrower, focusing specifically on cautionary or warning suggestions
warning
vsword of advice
1.0

A statement or sign that tells people about danger before it happens

is a cautionary suggestion often framed gently rather than as a blunt notice
advisory
vsword of advice
  • Literature
108 4.3

An official warning that tells the public about possible danger or bad weather

is usually informal and personal, not necessarily an official public announcement
heads-up
vsword of advice
  • Informal
60 4.1

A quick warning that something will happen

is more formal and cautionary rather than casual heads up
caution
vsword of advice
58 1.6

Words that warn people to avoid danger or bad behavior

is similar but can be more of a suggestion than explicit prevention advice
caveat
vsword of advice
51 7.7

A warning or condition that explains limits and possible problems

is more general, serving as a simple cautionary suggestion about danger
admonition
vsword of advice
17 7.4

A warning or advice to stop someone from doing something wrong

is broader, serving as a general cautionary suggestion not only correction
stern warning
vsword of advice
5 3.4

A firm, serious statement that tells someone to stop wrong or dangerous behavior

is milder and more like a cautionary suggestion than a firm reprimand
forewarning
vsword of advice
3 5.6

A sign or notice that something bad will happen

is similar but does not require emphasis on advance timing
monition
vsword of advice
  • Archaic
9.9

A strong warning telling someone to be careful

is less formal and more likely to be a simple warning or suggestion
prewarning
vsword of advice
4.4

An advance notice that tells people about a possible danger

is broader, not focused only on early timing before events

How Cautionary

warning
1.0
word of advice
34 2.8
advice
1.0
suggestion
759 1.4
tip
445 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

word + of + advice

The phrase is compositionally built from 'word' (here meaning a brief utterance or piece) + 'of' (linking) + 'advice' (guidance), so its sense 'a brief piece of advice or warning' is directly inferable from the constituents. This pattern ('a word of X' = 'a piece of X') is common cross-linguistically and follows standard noun + of + noun composition, so a B1 learner who knows the parts will readily understand it.

Etymology

Word of advice comes from the simple image of someone offering one small, helpful message: the word is a short remark and the advice is a warning or tip. So, it means 'a short, helpful warning or suggestion'.