“Warn” or “Worn”—Which to use?

“Warn” or “Worn”

Overview

warn / worn are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term. 👇

Definitions

warn: (verb) notify of danger, potential harm, or risk. (verb) admonish or counsel in terms of someone's behavior. (verb) ask to go away. (verb) notify, usually in advance.

worn: (verb) be dressed in. (verb) have on one's person. (verb) have in one's aspect; wear an expression of one's attitude or personality. (verb) deteriorate through use or stress. (verb) have or show an appearance of. (verb) last and be usable. (verb) put clothing on one's body. (adjective) affected by wear; damaged by long use.

Pronunciation

warn: w·AO·r·n

worn: w·AO·r·n

Trends

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Examples in Context

Examples of “warn”

…on a web page to warn potential plagiarists not to steal
…to preach against play-acting and warn their flock not to see
…knocking on farmhouse doors to warn militiamen that British troops were…
Tim hesitates to warn Peter, but finally does so.
…and there are Caveat Emptor warnings in place to warn prospective…
…the streets with loudspeakers to warn civilians of a fierce impending
…was hunting rabbits, others to warn of the approach of aircraft.
…applications, it is good to warn the user against sets of…
…he leaves Cutty's gym to warn him off.
…to another, someone there will warn "SWAT Pup" that he needs…

Examples of “worn”

…long as the dress is worn, and which device shall render…
…used for PA piercings are worn such that one ball sits…
…Greencoat School from the uniform worn by the pupils.
…but "closely resembled" the uniform worn by former Metropolitan Police Commissioner,…
- Red Jersey – Worn by the leader of the…
…trouser and white cades are worn instead.
…centuries, Chinese judges had routinely worn smoke-colored quartz lenses to conceal…
- Turquoise Jersey – Worn by the leader of the…
- Green Jersey – Worn by the leader of the…
…helmet is the protective headgear worn by batters in the game…

(Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions drawn from WordNet.)

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