learn

verb

ˈlərn 

learned ˈlərnd  ˈlərnt  ; 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

ˈlər-nə-bəl 

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.

Synonyms of learn

• master
• get
• understand

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

This is why, as a non-technical leader, manager, or high-achieving professional, learning how to apply AI in real workflows, such as content creation and strategy and decision communication, is highly essential. —Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Jeannette Caruth learned Spanish solely through conversation and invites you to become more familiar with the language. —Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026

One driver learned the hard way that even a freeway that's been plowed can still have icy, slick spots to cause out-of-control spins. —J.d. Miles, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

The buildings and plaza will also feature designs, art and signage to tell the story of the Japanese American community in Denver while also providing a place for people to gather, learn, celebrate, shop, and dine. —Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026

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)

Phrases Containing learn

• learn (something) at one's mother's knee
• learn the ropes
• learn to live with something
• live and learn
• you live and (you) learn

Rhymes for learn

• berne
• burn
• churn
• dern
• earn
• erne
• fern
• hern
• hirn
• morne
• quern
• spurn

Kids Definition

learn

verb

ˈlərn 

learned ˈlərnd  ˈlərnt  ; 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

: find out, ascertain

6

: to acquire knowledge

never too late to learn

learnable

ˈlər-nə-bəl 

adjective

learner noun

Medical Definition

learn

verb

ˈlərn 

learned ˈlərnd  ˈlərnt  also learnt ˈlərnt  ; learning

transitive verb

: to acquire (a change in behavior) by learning

intransitive verb

: to acquire a behavioral tendency by learning

learner noun