The official announcement that an acute danger or emergency (e.g. severe weather, a bomb discovery, a fire alarm) is over.
example
Nach der Überprüfung des verdächtigen Gepäckstücks gab die Polizei Entwarnung.
After checking the suspicious piece of luggage, the police gave the all-clear.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word consists of the prefix 'ent-' and the noun 'Warnung' (warning). The prefix 'ent-' here means the removal or end of something. 'Entwarnung' is therefore the official end of a warning.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Fehlalarm gab es schnell Entwarnung.
After the false alarm, the all-clear was quickly given.
Typical collocation
By far the most common and most important collocation is 'Entwarnung geben' (to give the all-clear). A person or institution with authority (e.g. police, fire department, doctor) is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Der Wetterdienst konnte für die Küstenregion noch keine Entwarnung geben.
The weather service was not yet able to give the all-clear for the coastal region.
Word family
The word belongs to the family of 'warnen' (to warn) and 'die Warnung' (the warning). First there is a warning about a danger, and when the danger has passed, the all-clear follows.
EXAMPLE
Zuerst kam die Warnung vor dem Sturm, am nächsten Morgen dann die Entwarnung.
First came the warning about the storm, and then the all-clear the next morning.
Context clue
The context makes clear what kind of danger is meant. If it is about sirens, severe weather, or the police, a public danger is meant. If doctors are speaking or it is about test results, a personal concern, usually medical, is meant.
EXAMPLE
Als die Sirenen aufhörten, war das das Zeichen für die Entwarnung.
When the sirens stopped, that was the signal for the all-clear.
Compare with
antonym
Entwarnung vs Warnung
warning
'die Warnung' and 'die Entwarnung' are clear opposites. A warning says: there is a danger or a possible problem. An all-clear says afterward: the danger is over, or the feared problem did not happen after all. 'Warnung' therefore fits before or during an uncertain situation. 'Entwarnung' fits when the situation is safer again or people can be reassured.
Entwarnung
Nach der Untersuchung gab die Ärztin Entwarnung.
After the examination, the doctor gave the all-clear.
Warnung
Zu Hause hörten wir die Warnung vor dem starken Sturm.
At home, we heard the warning about the severe storm.