learned
Americanadjective
-
having much knowledge; scholarly; erudite.
learned professors.
-
connected or involved with the pursuit of knowledge, especially of a scholarly nature.
a learned journal.
-
of or showing learning or knowledge; well-informed.
learned in the ways of the world.
-
acquired by experience, study, etc..
learned behavior.
adjective
-
having great knowledge or erudition
-
involving or characterized by scholarship
-
(prenominal) a title applied in referring to a member of the legal profession, esp to a barrister
my learned friend
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of learned
First recorded in 1300–50, learned is from the Middle English word lerned. See learn, -ed 2
Explanation
If you're learned (pronounced LUR-ned), you're highly educated, or you have or show a profound knowledge of some kind. The adjective learned comes from the verb learn. You can use it either to describe someone as having a lot of education, like the learned shopkeeper who used to tell you about the Trojan War while you picked out your candy, or to describe something that doesn't come naturally, but has to be learned (in which case it's pronounced LURND). If you reward your dog when she howls, then her howling will become a learned (LURND) behavior.
Vocabulary lists containing learned
Beowulf vocabulary
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Are You Experienced? Synonyms for "Expert"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Words to Describe a Teacher
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When Benson was 18, she learned her father had a BRCA1 gene mutation, as did his sister, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026
Leonor learned from others that the man she always saw eating corn was also from El Salvador.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026
"I was really pleased, I cried," Cecil's son John told the BBC, after he learned his campaign to have his father's name added had been recognised.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
In doing so, I had a blast discovering the scope of each person’s tastes and background – and even learned that we have a number of DJs on staff.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
“I’ve learned the West is wild. Filled with more foes than expected. But good people, too.”
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
