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

Second, they learned that fire crews thought they had extinguished the blaze, called the Lachman fire, on the 1st.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

We also learn about the serious financial troubles her fashion business faced, and how she feared she might "lose everything".

Read more on BBC

"They want to do everyone proud and learn as much as they can. I wish they could have come a week or two before their courses started to help them settle in."

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A turning point: Gabriel learned that the ill effects of certain synthetic food dyes can be amplified in children who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

AI can substantially cut teacher workloads and help pupils learn but schools need clearer guidance on how to use it "safely and ethically", the education watchdog has said.

Read more on BBC

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.