learn

[lurn]

verb (used with object)

learned, learnt, learning. 

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.

3. to memorize.

   He learned the poem so he could recite it at the dinner.

4. to gain (a habit, mannerism, etc.) by experience, exposure to example, or the like; acquire.

   She learned patience from her father.

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

6. Nonstandard.,  to instruct in; teach.

verb (used without object)

learned, learnt, learning. 

1. to acquire knowledge or skill.

   to learn rapidly.

2. to become informed (usually followed byof ).

   to learn of an accident.

learn

/ lɜːn /

verb

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

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

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

5. not_standard,  to teach

Other Word Forms

• learnable adjective
• mislearn verb
• outlearn verb (used with object)
• relearn verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of learn¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of learn¹

Old English leornian; related to Old High German lirnen

Idioms and Phrases

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

Example Sentences

“By now we should have learned that most such news is just noise.”

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He learned it by ear, then set up his phone to capture the clip.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Some students learn more with the products’ help.

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Spearheaded by Dudamel, the program is modeled after El Sistema, the publicly funded program where he first learned music in Venezuela.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For years, high-schoolers have boasted in college applications about learning Latin, leading the chess club or acing Advanced Placement Physics.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• determine 
• enroll 
• gain 
• get 
• grasp 
• master 
• pick up 
• read 
• receive 
• review 
• study 

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.