Meaning & use
warning signs
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“warning signs” is a form of “warning sign”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounusually plural
Signals or symptoms that suggest a problem, danger or illness may be coming.
Grammar: Usually plural: learn the warning signs of a stroke.
Patterns
- warning signs of something
- ignore the warning signs
Chest pain and shortness of breath are warning signs of a heart problem.
He ignored the warning signs and kept driving on worn tires.
Teachers are trained to spot the warning signs of bullying.
nounplural
Notices placed in a location to alert people to a hazard, such as a wet floor or a steep road.
Grammar: Plural of warning sign; takes a plural verb: warning signs were posted.
Patterns
- warning signs along something
- warning signs posted
Warning signs were posted along the edge of the cliff.
The road had warning signs for falling rocks.
Workers put up warning signs around the open hole.
Common combinations
- early warning signs
- Early warning signs of burnout include constant tiredness.
- ignore the warning signs
- They ignored the warning signs of the storm.
- spot the warning signs
- Parents should learn to spot the warning signs.
- warning signs of
- The warning signs of a stroke include slurred speech.
- clear warning signs
- There were clear warning signs before the collapse.
- heed the warning signs
- He heeded the warning signs and rested.
Synonyms and how they differ
- red flags
- Red flags is more informal and usually points to suspicious behavior, as in relationships or deals.
- symptoms
- Symptoms are specific to illness, whereas warning signs can refer to any danger.
- indications
- Indications is more formal and neutral and does not suggest danger.
- alarm bells
- Alarm bells is a figurative phrase for strong feelings of concern.
Word family
- warning noun
- a statement about a possible danger
- warn verb
- to tell someone about a danger
- sign noun
- a signal or notice
- warning sign noun
- the singular form
Commonly confused: warning signs or warning shot?
warning signs vs warning shot
A warning shot is a fired shot meant to scare someone; warning signs are signals or notices of possible trouble.
Practice
What would a doctor call chest pain and breathlessness before a heart attack?
Choose one answer.
Warning signs are early signals that something may be wrong. Side effects are caused by medicine, so they do not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “warning signs”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.