definitions

learning

[ lur-ning ]
/ ˈlɜr nɪŋ /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR learning ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

knowledge acquired by systematic study in any field of scholarly application.
the act or process of acquiring knowledge or skill.
Psychology. the modification of behavior through practice, training, or experience.

RELATED CONTENT

Hey! OK! Understanding Language With Desktop AIRecent stories indicate that soon you'll be able to create your own custom trigger words for the Home units. "Hey, knucklehead!"
READ MORE
Digging Up Old Slang For Body PartsWhat do aggravators, dew-sticks, and trillibubs have in common? You probably use them every day.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

information, training, literature, science, study, schooling, research, culture, wisdom, lore, tuition, erudition, scholarship, letters

Nearby words

learned helplessness, learned profession, learned society, learner, learner's chain, learning, learning curve, learning difficulties, learning disability, learning management system, learning resources center

Origin of learning

before 900; Middle English lerning, Old English leornung. See learn, -ing1

SYNONYMS FOR learning

1 Learning, erudition, lore, scholarship refer to knowledge existing or acquired. Learning is the most general term. It may refer to knowledge obtained by systematic study or by trial and error: a man of learning; learning in the real world. Erudition suggests a thorough, formal, and profound sort of knowledge obtained by extensive research; it is especially applied to knowledge in fields other than those of mathematics and physical sciences: a man of vast erudition in languages. Lore is accumulated knowledge in a particular field, especially of a curious, anecdotal, or traditional nature; the word is now somewhat literary: nature lore; local lore. Scholarship is the formalized learning that is taught in schools, especially as actively employed by a person trying to master some field of knowledge or extend its bounds: high standards of scholarship in history.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR learning ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

un·learn·ing, adjective

Definition for learning (2 of 2)

learn

[ lurn ]
/ lɜrn /

verb (used with object), learned [lurnd] /lɜrnd/ or learnt, learn·ing.

verb (used without object), learned [lurnd] /lɜrnd/ or learnt, learn·ing.

to acquire knowledge or skill: to learn rapidly.
to become informed (usually followed by of): to learn of an accident.

Origin of learn

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

Related forms

learn·a·ble, adjectivemis·learn, verb, mis·learned or mis·learnt, mis·learn·ing.out·learn, verb (used with object), out·learned or out·learnt, out·learn·ing.re·learn, verb, re·learned or re·learnt, re·learn·ing.

Can be confused

learn teach

Synonym study

1. Learn, ascertain, detect, discover imply adding to one's store of facts. To learn is to add to one's knowledge or information: to learn a language. To ascertain is to verify facts by inquiry or analysis: to ascertain the truth about an event. To detect implies becoming aware of something that had been obscure, secret, or concealed: to detect a flaw in reasoning. To discover is used with objective clauses as a synonym of learn in order to suggest that the new information acquired is surprising to the learner: I discovered that she had been married before.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for learning

British Dictionary definitions for learning (1 of 2)

learning

/ (ˈlɜːnɪŋ) /

noun

knowledge gained by study; instruction or scholarship
the act of gaining knowledge
psychol any relatively permanent change in behaviour that occurs as a direct result of experience

British Dictionary definitions for learning (2 of 2)

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

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

Medicine definitions for learning

learning

[ lûr′nĭng ]

n.

The act, process, or experience of gaining knowledge or skill.
Knowledge or skill gained through schooling or study.
Behavioral modification, especially through experience or conditioning.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Idioms and Phrases with learning

learn

In addition to the idioms beginning with learn

  • learn by heart
  • learn one's lesson
  • learn to live with

also see:

  • by heart, learn
  • little knowledge (learning) is a dangerous thing
  • live and learn
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.