learn

verb

learned ˈlərnd How to pronounce learn (audio) ˈlərnt How to pronounce learn (audio) ; learning

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to gain knowledge or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience
learn a trade
learned to play chess
(2)
: memorize
learn the lines of a play
b
: to come to be able
learn to dance
c
: to come to realize
learned that honesty paid
2
a
nonstandard : teach
b
obsolete : to inform of something
3
: to come to know : hear
we just learned that he was ill

intransitive verb

: to acquire knowledge or skill or a behavioral tendency
were shocked to learn of her death
learnable adjective
learner noun
Can learn mean teach?: Usage Guide

Learn in the sense of "teach" dates from the 13th century and was standard until at least the early 19th.

made them drunk with true Hollands—and then learned them the art of making bargains Washington Irving

But by Mark Twain's time it was receding to a speech form associated chiefly with the less educated.

never done nothing for three months but set in his back yard and learn that frog to jump Mark Twain

The present-day status of learn has not risen. This use persists in speech, but in writing it appears mainly in the representation of such speech or its deliberate imitation for effect.

Choose the Right Synonym for learn

discover, ascertain, determine, unearth, learn mean to find out what one did not previously know.

discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter.

discovered the source of the river

ascertain implies effort to find the facts or the truth proceeding from awareness of ignorance or uncertainty.

attempts to ascertain the population of the region

determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely.

unable to determine the origin of the word

unearth implies bringing to light something forgotten or hidden.

unearth old records

learn may imply acquiring knowledge with little effort or conscious intention (as by simply being told) or it may imply study and practice.

I learned her name only today
learning Greek

Examples of learn in a Sentence

People learn throughout their lives. I can't swim yet, but I'm learning. She's interested in learning French. We had to learn the rules of the game. I'm trying to learn my lines for the play. We had to learn the names of the state capitals. She learned through a letter that her father had died. I later learned that they had never called. We finally learned the truth about what had happened.
Recent Examples on the Web The Hollywood Reporter has learned that the property just closed at a sale price of $5.36 million, after being listed for just shy of $6 million. Degen Pener, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 The same goes for educators and students, although math and science experts do generally recommend using Pi Day festivities as opportunities to make learning more fun. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024 There are also specials for Pi Day, a tango festival and a chance to learn about the April 8 solar eclipse. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 Poised to be set in one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, the new institution is meant to become an extension of the classroom for learning. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024 The drug has been in short supply since the end of 2022 and Diamond set out to learn why. Krista Stevens, Longreads, 13 Mar. 2024 All proceeds are used to fund programs, scholarships and help those in underserved communities learn the joy that being part of a swim team brings, his parents said. Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2024 The Hollywood Reporter learned Friday that The Brothers Sun would not be returning for a second season, months after the series premiered on Jan. 4. Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Mar. 2024 Bram learned about Frannie’s backstory — and grew even more eager to give her a better life. Sydney Page, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'learn.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lernen, from Old English leornian; akin to Old High German lernēn to learn, Old English last footprint, Latin lira furrow, track

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of learn was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near learn

Cite this Entry

“Learn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/learn. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

learn

verb
learned ˈlərnd How to pronounce learn (audio) ˈlərnt How to pronounce learn (audio) ; learning
1
: to gain knowledge or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience
2
: memorize
learn the lines of a play
3
a
: to come to be able to
learn to swim
b
: to come to realize
4
substandard : to cause to learn : teach
5
6
: to acquire knowledge
never too late to learn
learnable adjective
learner noun

Medical Definition

learn

verb
learned ˈlərnd How to pronounce learn (audio) ˈlərnt How to pronounce learn (audio) also learnt ˈlərnt How to pronounce learn (audio) ; learning

transitive verb

: to acquire (a change in behavior) by learning

intransitive verb

: to acquire a behavioral tendency by learning
learner noun

More from Merriam-Webster on learn

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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