learn

[ lurn ]
See synonyms for: learnlearnedlearninglearnt on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),learned [lurnd] /lɜrnd/ or learnt [lurnt], /lɜrnt/, learn·ing [lur-ning]. /ˈlɜr nɪŋ/.
  1. to acquire knowledge of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience: to learn French;to learn to ski.

  2. to become informed of or acquainted with; ascertain: to learn the truth.

  1. to memorize: He learned the poem so he could recite it at the dinner.

  2. to gain (a habit, mannerism, etc.) by experience, exposure to example, or the like; acquire: She learned patience from her father.

  3. (of a device or machine, especially a computer) to perform an analogue of human learning with artificial intelligence.

  4. Nonstandard. to instruct in; teach.

verb (used without object),learned [lurnd] /lɜrnd/ or learnt [lurnt], /lɜrnt/, learn·ing [lur-ning]. /ˈlɜr nɪŋ/.
  1. to acquire knowledge or skill: to learn rapidly.

  2. to become informed (usually followed by of): to learn of an accident.

Origin of learn

1
First recorded before 900; Middle English lernen, Old English leornian “to learn, read, ponder” (cognate with German lernen ); akin to lesan “to glean” (cognate with German lesen “to read”). See lear

Other words from learn

  • learn·a·ble, adjective
  • mis·learn, verb, mis·learned or mis·learnt, mis·learn·ing.
  • outlearn, verb (used with object), out·learned or out·learnt, out·learn·ing.
  • re·learn, verb, re·learned or re·learnt, re·learn·ing.

Words that may be confused with learn

Words Nearby learn

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use learn in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for learn

learn

/ (lɜːn) /


verblearns, learning, learned (lɜːnd) or learnt
  1. (when tr, may take a clause as object) to gain knowledge of (something) or acquire skill in (some art or practice)

  2. (tr) to commit to memory

  1. (tr) to gain by experience, example, etc

  2. (intr; often foll by of or about) to become informed; know

  3. not standard to teach

Origin of learn

1
Old English leornian; related to Old High German lirnen

Derived forms of learn

  • learnable, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with learn

learn

In addition to the idioms beginning with learn

  • learn by heart
  • learn one's lesson
  • learn to live with

also see:

  • by heart, learn
  • little knowledge (learning) is a dangerous thing
  • live and learn

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.