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prewarning

prewarning

4.4
An advance notice that tells people about a possible danger
  • noun
  • /priˈwɔrnɪŋ/
translation icon : preaviso
  • A loud alarm acts as a prewarning before the machinery starts operating.

Examples

  • Drivers received a prewarning on their phones before the road was closed due to flooding.

  • The weather service issued a prewarning about the approaching storm to help people prepare.

  • The weather service issued a prewarning about the storm.

  • Did you receive the prewarning about the earthquake drill?

  • The weather service issued a prewarning about the impending storm, urging residents to prepare.

  • The company provided a prewarning to employees about potential layoffs due to budget cuts.

  • Parents received a prewarning about the school lockdown before it happened, keeping them informed.

Synonyms

warning
vsprewarning
1.0

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

is a less common compound form used for the same idea
alert
vsprewarning
297 2.8

A warning that something dangerous or important may happen

is an earlier advance notice rather than an urgent immediate signal
advisory
vsprewarning
  • Literature
108 4.3

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

is a general advance alert not necessarily an official public notice
notification
vsprewarning
76 3.3

A message that tells you about something, often sent by email or an app

is specifically an earlier notice given before possible danger or events
heads-up
vsprewarning
  • Informal
60 4.1

A quick warning that something will happen

is the neutral term rather than an informal casual notice
forewarning
vsprewarning
3 5.6

A sign or notice that something bad will happen

is more general and covers any advance notice not only unpleasant events
prenotification
vsprewarning
7.0

A notice given before an event or change

is the general informal form for the same advance notice
preannouncement
vsprewarning
  • Formal
6.8

An official short notice that tells people about news coming soon

is used for advance notice before possible danger or events rather than before announcements

How Early

forewarning
3 5.6
prewarning
4.4
notice
126 1.0
warning
1.0

Surface Forms

prewarning singular
prewarnings plural

Morphology

prewarning = warning (transparent) = pre + warn + ing

The meaning is a straightforward extension of 'warning' with 'pre-' meaning earlier or beforehand.

Etymology

Prewarning comes from the prefix pre- meaning 'before' and the word warning meaning 'a sign of danger'. So a prewarning is an alert given before a possible danger or event to help people get ready.