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learner

American  
[lur-ner] / ˈlɜr nər /

noun

  1. a person who is learning; learn; student; pupil; apprentice; trainee.

ˈlearner British  
/ ˈlɜːnə /

noun

  1. someone who is learning something; beginner

  2. (in South Africa) a school pupil

"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

Etymology

Origin of learner

before 1000; Middle English lerner ( e ), Old English leornere; learn, -er 1

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.

The rise in reported cheating comes as learner drivers face persistently long waits for practical tests slots.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

The government's suggested measures include learner drivers facing a minimum learning period of up to six months between sitting their theory and practical tests.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

The government believes a minimum period between sitting the theory test and the practical test would help learner drivers develop their skills, including driving in different conditions.

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

"There is a lot of learner drivers from eight in the morning, and it always seems to be on the school run."

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026

MiSSSisss WaSShington says if every learner waits to speak perfectly, no one would learn a new language.

From "Inside Out and Back Again" by Thanhha Lai

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.