Meaning & use
warning sign
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
a signal or event that shows a problem or danger may be coming
Grammar: Countable: use 'a warning sign' or 'warning signs'. Often followed by 'of' or 'that': a warning sign of trouble.
Patterns
- a warning sign of something
- a warning sign that ...
- show warning signs
The sudden drop in sales was a warning sign that the company was in trouble.
Doctors say a persistent cough can be a warning sign of lung disease.
She ignored the warning signs and kept driving on the icy road.
nouncountable
a notice or symbol that tells people about a danger
Grammar: Countable; often used before another noun: a warning sign on the door.
Patterns
- a warning sign on something
- put up a warning sign
There was a warning sign on the gate saying 'Beware of the dog'.
The council put up warning signs along the beach about strong currents.
Word forms
| plural | warning signs |
|---|
Common combinations
- a warning sign of
- A headache can be a warning sign of dehydration.
- early warning sign
- Early warning signs of the disease include fatigue and fever.
- ignore the warning signs
- He ignored the warning signs and had a heart attack.
- show warning signs
- The machine began to show warning signs of overheating.
Synonyms and how they differ
- symptom
- A symptom is a sign of illness, while a warning sign can be any signal of danger or trouble, not only medical.
- indication
- Indication is more formal and neutral; a warning sign suggests possible harm and often causes concern.
Word family
Commonly confused: warning sign or sign warning?
warning sign vs sign warning
This is not a common phrase. The usual order is 'warning sign'.
Practice
Choose the best sentence.
Choose one answer.
We say 'a warning sign of something' when it shows that something is likely. 'For' and 'to' do not fit this meaning; 'at' is wrong here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “warning sign”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.