Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 VERB If something warrants a particular action, it makes the action seem necessary or appropriate for the circumstances. □ [V n] The allegations are serious enough to warrant an investigation. ●  war|rant|ed ADJ □  Do you think this fear is warranted?

2 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A warrant is a legal document that allows someone to do something, especially one that is signed by a judge or magistrate and gives the police permission to arrest someone or search their house. □ [+ for ] Police confirmed that they had issued a warrant for his arrest. □  …a search warrant.

3 → see also death warrant

wa r|rant of|fic|er (warrant officers ) N‑COUNT A warrant officer is a person in the army, the air force, or the marines who is above the rank of sergeant and below the rank of lieutenant. In the United States Navy, a warrant officer is above the rank of petty officer and below the rank of ensign.

war|ran|ty /wɒ rənti, [AM ] wɔː r-/ (warranties ) N‑COUNT [oft under N ] A warranty is a written promise by a company that, if you find a fault in something they have sold you within a certain time, they will repair it or replace it free of charge. □  …a twelve month warranty. □  The equipment is still under warranty.

war|ren /wɒ rən, [AM ] wɔː r-/ (warrens )

1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A warren is a group of holes in the ground which are connected by tunnels and which rabbits live in.

2 N‑COUNT If you describe a building or an area of a city as a warren , you mean that there are many narrow passages or streets. □ [+ of ] …a warren of narrow streets.

war|ring /wɔː r I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] Warring is used to describe groups of people who are involved in a conflict or quarrel with each other. □  The warring factions have not yet turned in all their heavy weapons. □  …warring brothers and sisters.

war|ri|or /wɒ riə ^r , [AM ] wɔː r-/ (warriors ) N‑COUNT A warrior is a fighter or soldier, especially one in former times who was very brave and experienced in fighting.

war|ship /wɔː ^r ʃ I p/ (warships ) N‑COUNT A warship is a ship with guns that is used for fighting in wars.

wart /wɔː ^r t/ (warts ) N‑COUNT A wart is a small lump which grows on your skin.

wart|hog /wɔː ^r thɒg, [AM ] -hɔːg/ (warthogs ) N‑COUNT A warthog is a wild pig with two large teeth that curve upwards at the sides of its mouth. Warthogs live in Africa.

war|time /wɔː ^r ta I m/ also war-time N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N , N n] Wartime is a period of time when a war is being fought. □  …his wartime experiences in France.

wa r wid|ow (war widows ) N‑COUNT A war widow is a woman whose husband was killed while he was in the armed forces during a war.

wary /weə ri/ (warier , wariest ) ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are wary of something or someone, you are cautious because you do not know much about them and you believe they may be dangerous or cause problems. □ [+ of ] People did not teach their children to be wary of strangers. □ [+ about ] They were very wary about giving him a contract. ●  wari|ly /weə r I li/ ADV [usu ADV with v] □  She studied me warily, as if I might turn violent.

was /wəz, STRONG wɒz, [AM ] wʌz/ Was is the first and third person singular of the past tense of be .

wash ◆◇◇ /wɒ ʃ/ (washes , washing , washed )

1 VERB If you wash something, you clean it using water and usually a substance such as soap or detergent. □ [V n] He got a job washing dishes in a pizza parlour. □ [V n prep] It took a long time to wash the mud out of his hair. □ [V n with adv] Rub down the door and wash off the dust before applying the varnish. ● N‑COUNT Wash is also a noun. □  That coat could do with a wash. □  The treatment leaves hair glossy and lasts 10 to 16 washes.