5 PHRASAL VERB If a comedian or speaker warms up an audience or the audience warms up , the audience is prepared for the main show or speaker by being told jokes, so that they are in a good mood. □ [V P n] They would always come out and warm up the audience. □ [V P ] The crowd began to warm up.
wa rm-bloo ded ADJ A warm-blooded animal, for example a bird or a mammal, has a fairly high body temperature which does not change much and is not affected by the surrounding temperature.
wa rm-down (warm-downs ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A warm-down is a series of special exercises that you do after doing a physical activity to help relax your muscles and joints.
wa rm-hea rted ADJ A warm-hearted person is friendly and affectionate.
war|monger /wɔː r mʌŋgə r / (warmongers ) N‑COUNT If you describe a politician or leader as a warmonger , you disapprove of them because you think they are encouraging people to start or join a war. [DISAPPROVAL ]
warmth /wɔː r mθ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The warmth of something is the heat that it has or produces. □ [+ of ] She went further into the room, drawn by the warmth of the fire.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The warmth of something such as a garment or blanket is the protection that it gives you against the cold. □ The blanket will provide additional warmth and comfort in bed.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Someone who has warmth is friendly and enthusiastic in their behaviour towards other people. □ He greeted us both with warmth and affection.
wa rm-up (warm-ups ) N‑COUNT [usu sing, N n] A warm-up is something that prepares you for an activity or event, usually because it is a short practice or example of what the activity or event will involve. □ [+ for ] The exercises can be fun and a good warm-up for the latter part of the programme. □ [+ for ] The criticism was merely a warm-up for what is being prepared for the finance minister.
warn ◆◆◇ /wɔː r n/ (warns , warning , warned )
1 VERB If you warn someone about something such as a possible danger or problem, you tell them about it so that they are aware of it. □ [V n that] When I had my first baby, friends warned me that children were expensive. □ [V n + of/about ] They warned him of the dangers of sailing alone. □ [V that] Analysts warned that Europe's most powerful economy may be facing trouble. □ [V + of ] He also warned of a possible anti-Western backlash.
2 VERB If you warn someone not to do something, you advise them not to do it so that they can avoid possible danger or punishment. □ [V n to-inf] Mrs. Blount warned me not to interfere. □ [V with quote] 'Don't do anything yet,' he warned. 'Too risky.' □ [V n with quote] 'Keep quiet, or they'll all come out,' they warned him. □ [V n + against ] I wish I'd listened to the people who warned me against having the operation.
▸ warn off PHRASAL VERB If you warn someone off , you tell them to go away or to stop doing something because of possible danger or punishment. □ [V n P ] The police warned the intruder off. □ [V n P n] The band's management have warned them off late nights. [Also V n P v-ing, V P n]
warn|ing ◆◇◇ /wɔː r n I ŋ/ (warnings )
1 N‑COUNT [oft N that, N to-inf] A warning is something which is said or written to tell people of a possible danger, problem, or other unpleasant thing that might happen. □ The minister gave a warning that if war broke out, it would be catastrophic. □ [+ for ] The week's second severe weather warning for heavy rain was issued yesterday.
2 N‑VAR [oft without N ] A warning is an advance notice of something that will happen, often something unpleasant or dangerous. □ The soldiers opened fire without warning. □ With no warning, he was fired from his job.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Warning actions or signs give a warning. □ She ignored the warning signals. □ Some fog warning signs had been put up with flashing yellow lights. COLLOCATIONS warning NOUN 1
noun + warning : health, safety; flood, travel, weather; government
adjective + warning : dire, stark, stern; repeated
verb + warning : give, issue, sound; heed, ignore SYNONYMS warning NOUN 1
threat: He may be forced to carry out his threat to resign.
caution: There was a note of caution for the Treasury in the figures.
alarm: The other man rang the alarm bell.
alert: Due to a security alert, this train will not be stopping at Oxford Circus.
omen: Her appearance at this moment is an omen of disaster.
wa r of ne rves N‑SING A war of nerves is a conflict in which the opposing sides try to make each other feel less confident. □ [+ between ] …the continuing war of nerves between the army and the leadership.
warp /wɔː r p/ (warps , warping , warped )
1 VERB If something warps or is warped , it becomes damaged by bending or curving, often because of the effect of heat or water. □ [V ] The firm makes floors that won't shrink or warp. □ [V n] It should have prevented rain water warping the door trim.
2 VERB If something warps someone's character, it damages them or it influences them in a bad way. □ [V n] I never had any toys, my father thought that they would warp my personal values. □ [V n] Their lives have been warped by war.
3 N‑COUNT [n N ] A warp in time or space is an imaginary break or sudden change in the normal experience of time or space. □ The house retains much of its original detailing without being stuck in a time warp.