learn

play

verb \ ˈlərn \

Definition of learn

learned play \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

play \ˈlər-nə-bəl\ adjective

—

learner

noun

See learn defined for English-language learners

See learn defined for kids

Can learn mean teach?

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.

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 of learn from the Web

Bloomberg's Christopher Flavelle discusses how the lessons learned from Hurricane Harvey could reshape how and where Americans decide to live and build homes.

— Bloomberg.com, "Harvey Could Reshape Debate About U.S. Home Building," 30 Aug. 2017
Kids with type 1 diabetes can go on the field for batting practice, get a ball for players to sign, learn facts about diabetes and enjoy the game as guests of Marlins pitcher Dustin McGowan.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "What to do with the kids this weekend: Free zoo, bowling and crafts events," 30 Aug. 2017
Students learned to take calculated risks, practice critical thinking skills and develop self-reliance.

— Daily Southtown, "Community news," 30 Aug. 2017
Fortune has learned that, for the past year, VC firm Sequoia Capital has been running a program that pairs technical women across its portfolio companies with mentors at other organizations.

— michal lev-ram, Fortune, "Exclusive: Sequoia Capital is Running a Mentorship Program for Hundreds of Silicon Valley Women," 30 Aug. 2017
But when the government learned that Mr. Ahmed had been stopped in the Middle East while trying to enter Syria, the agents obtained a warrant for a laptop computer in his home in Queens.

— alan feuer, New York Times, "Queens Man Is Charged With Trying to Enter Syria to Join ISIS," 29 Aug. 2017
Besides urging parents to alert the school, Benjamin advises club sports or community coaches and parents learn what to look for to determine if a concussion has occurred.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Big spike in District 203 concussion numbers tied to parental reporting," 26 Aug. 2017
The bride-to-be was delighted to learn of the additional guests for the Mass, Kycia said.

— david owens, courant.com, "St. Luke Parishioners Honor The Madonna, Treasure A Final Visit To Their Church Home," 26 Aug. 2017
Parents of today's generation of elementary school students grew up learning a much different—often less complicated—style of mathematics.

— kelly o'sullivan, Country Living, "This Student's Math Problem Was Marked Wrong—Even Though the Answer Was Right," 25 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'learn.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of learn

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

learn Synonyms

Synonyms

get, master, pick up, get the hang of

Antonyms

unlearn

Related Words

apprehend, comprehend, grasp, know, understand; absorb, assimilate, digest, drink (in), imbibe; ascertain, descry, detect, determine, dig up, discern, discover, examine, find out, hear, hit (on or upon), run down, scare up, search (for), see, track (down), tumble (to), unearth; major (in), study; memorize

Near Antonyms

forget; misunderstand; miss, overlook; disregard, ignore, neglect

Synonym Discussion of 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

LEARN Defined for English Language Learners

learn

play

verb

Definition of learn for English Language Learners

: to gain knowledge or skill by studying, practicing, being taught, or experiencing something
: to cause (something) to be in your memory by studying it
: to hear or be told (something) : to find out (something)

LEARN Defined for Kids

learn

play

verb \ ˈlərn \

Definition of learn for Students

learned \ˈlərnd\ also learnt \ˈlərnt\; learning

1 :to get knowledge of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience

I'm learning a foreign language.

2 :memorize

Actors have to learn their lines.

3 :to become able through practice

Babies learn to walk.

4 :to come to realize and understand

You must learn right from wrong.

5 :to find out

I finally learned what had happened.

6 :to gain knowledge

The children were eager to learn.

—

learner

noun

Medical Dictionary

learn

play

verb \ ˈlərn \

medical Definition of learn

learned play \ˈlərnd, ˈlərnt\ also learnt play \ˈlərnt\; learning

transitive verb

:to acquire (a change in behavior) by learning

intransitive verb

:to acquire a behavioral tendency by learning

—

learner

noun

Learn More about learn

See words that rhyme with learn Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for learn Spanish Central: Translation of learn Nglish: Translation of learn for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of learn for Arabic speakers

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Definition of learn

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Can learn mean teach?

Examples of learn in a Sentence

Recent Examples of learn from the Web

Origin and Etymology of learn

learn Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of learn

LEARN Defined for English Language Learners

learn

Definition of learn for English Language Learners

LEARN Defined for Kids

learn

Definition of learn for Students

learner

Medical Dictionary

learn

medical Definition of learn

learner

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