Dictionary.com

learn

[ lurn ]
/ lɜrn /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: learn / learned / learning / learnt on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), learned [lurnd] /lɜrnd/ or learnt [lurnt], /lɜrnt/, learn·ing [lur-ning]. /ˈlɜr nɪŋ/.
verb (used without object), learned [lurnd] /lɜrnd/ or learnt [lurnt], /lɜrnt/, learn·ing [lur-ning]. /ˈlɜr nɪŋ/.
to acquire knowledge or skill: to learn rapidly.
to become informed (usually followed by of): to learn of an accident.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of learn

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, adjectivemis·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

learn , teach

Words nearby learn

leapt, leap year, lear, lear board, lea-rig, learn, learn by heart, learned, learned borrowing, learned helplessness, learned profession
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say learn?

To learn something is to acquire knowledge of it through study or experience. How does learn compare with discover, ascertain, and detect? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

Words related to learn

determine, enroll, gain, get, grasp, master, pick up, read, receive, review, study, hear, see, understand, apprentice, attain, con, cram, grind, imbibe

How to use learn in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for learn

learn
/ (lɜːn) /
verb learns, learning, learned (lɜːnd) or learnt
(when tr, may take a clause as object) to gain knowledge of (something) or acquire skill in (some art or practice)
(tr) to commit to memory
(tr) to gain by experience, example, etc
(intr; often foll by of or about) to become informed; know
not standard to teach

Derived forms of learn

learnable, adjective

Word Origin for learn

Old English leornian; related to Old High German lirnen
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
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
FEEDBACK