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warning sign

warning sign

54 1.6
Something that shows there may be danger or a problem
  • noun
translation icon : señal de advertencia
  • By understanding and attending to these warning signs, school-based teams can develop interventions and support systems.
  • early warning signs
  • recognize warning signs
  • warning signs may include

So if you notice these warning signs, what's the next step?

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Examples

  • Quick, what are the warning signs of dehydration again?

  • There were no warning signs and nothing officials could do.

  • What are the warning signs that you can see something starting to go wrong?

  • Your video on the warning signs really hit me hard.

  • If you just like it, that should be a warning sign to get out.

  • What this means is that warning signs such as these may only have limited impact.

  • However, I think there are a number of warning signs all around us.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Have you spotted early warning signs of when you as a team are starting to lose your way?

  • The first step requires only that one respond to the warning signs listed above.

    Academic text (1994)
  • If you see any warning signs, it's important to take them seriously.

Synonyms

sign
vswarning sign
3.2

An event that shows something is happening or will happen

is limited to events or conditions that point to possible danger or trouble
warning
vswarning sign
1.0

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

is more passive being an event or condition that only suggests danger
indication
vswarning sign
382 3.9

A sign that shows something is true or likely

is focused specifically on possible danger or trouble rather than general suggestion
alert
vswarning sign
297 2.8

A warning that something dangerous or important may happen

is a broader occurrence that may only suggest possible trouble rather than demand action
red flag
vswarning sign
  • Informal
77 3.6

A sign that shows a problem or danger in a situation

is broader covering any event or condition that suggests potential danger
writing on the wall
vswarning sign
  • Informal
14 5.5

A clear sign that something bad will happen

is about general events suggesting potential danger rather than an obvious public hint
portent
vswarning sign
  • Formal
10 8.7

A sign that something important, often bad, will happen

is general and may cover small dangers not only grand ominous events
clear sign
vswarning sign
10 1.3

An obvious thing that shows something is true

is used when events point specifically to danger rather than any clear hint
warning light
vswarning sign
7 3.2

A light that turns on in vehicles or machines to show a problem

is a general event or condition rather than a specific glowing indicator
warning signal
vswarning sign
5 3.2

A loud sound or flashing light that tells people there is danger

is less specific and may only suggest possible trouble rather than demanding action
forewarning
vswarning sign
3 5.6

A sign or notice that something bad will happen

is not necessarily advance notice but any event that suggests potential trouble
augury
vswarning sign
  • Literature
2 9.9

A sign people use to guess what will happen

is a practical present indicator of possible danger rather than a future omen
danger signal
vswarning sign
1 3.7

A sign that something dangerous may happen

is broader covering events or conditions that merely suggest potential trouble
warning device
vswarning sign
1 3.7

A tool that makes a loud sound or bright light to tell people there is danger

is usually an event or condition rather than a physical object
presage
vswarning sign
  • Literature
1 8.7

A sign or feeling that something bad will happen

is more about present events or conditions that suggest danger rather than omens
warning bell
vswarning sign
1 3.5

A sign that tells people about a possible problem

is a general event or condition that only suggests possible trouble
prewarning
vswarning sign
4.4

An advance notice that tells people about a possible danger

is often a later or immediate event rather than an advance notice
prenotification
vswarning sign
7.0

A notice given before an event or change

is typically a present event or condition suggesting danger not advance notice
preindication
vswarning sign
9.9

A sign that something important will happen soon

focuses on hinting future events rather than indicating present danger

How Serious

alarm bell
7 2.2
red flag
  • Informal
77 3.6
warning sign
54 1.6
sign
3.2
indicator
9 3.4

Surface Forms

warning sign singular
warning signs plural

Morphology

warning + sign

The meaning 'an event, condition, or signal that suggests potential danger or trouble' is directly derivable from combining 'warning' (an alert about danger) with 'sign' (an indicator or signal). This compound follows regular English composition patterns and is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

The phrase warning sign comes from the simple image of a real sign or flashing light that gives a warning about danger. So, when we call something a warning sign, we mean it is a clue or signal that 'danger or trouble may come'.