learn

verb \ ˈlərn \

|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Usage guide: Can learn mean teach?

Examples: learn in a Sentence

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

Nick Loeb, one of the film's co-directors, told The Hollywood Reporter that it has been rejected from multiple locations where it was set to film after location managers learned of the subject.

— refinery29.com, "What We Know About Stacey Dash's Controversial Film About Roe v. Wade," 3 July 2018
To create a robot that operates with perfect safety among people, the vehicles just might have to learn to emulate some of their worst qualities.

— aarian marshall, WIRED, "A Cruise-on-Cruise Crash Reveals the Hardest Thing About Self-Driving Tech," 3 July 2018
The man learned of the loss when he was contacted by a collection agency.

— kathy routliffe, chicagotribune.com, "Wilmette blotter: Burglars use second floor window to enter, ransack house and steal electronic goods," 2 July 2018
But Mattingly wanted expectations tempered for Alcantara, who still had to learn about sequencing pitches, holding runners and staying composed on the mound.

— matthew defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Marlins' future on display as Sandy Alcantara, Lewis Brinson lead Miami past Mets," 30 June 2018
Her family has only lived in the area about a year, and is just learning of the frequent problems with the utility.

— ryan randazzo, azcentral, "Water taps dry, sewers overflow as Johnson Utilities owner faces bribery trial," 28 June 2018
The news has made Pagirsky wonder whether America has learned from Europe’s mistakes.

— erin coulehan, Glamour, "A Holocaust Survivor Reflects on the Lasting Impact of Family Separation and Deportation," 28 June 2018
Using clues, individuals and/or groups can hunt on trails for sculptured, stones, mystery objects, plants, and animals while learning about the history and features of the refuge.

— sara ervin walser, Laurel Leader, "Nature programs at Patuxent Research in full swing [South Laurel/Montpelier]," 28 June 2018
Of the incident, the Orange County sheriff’s office told The Associated Press that deputies arrived at the residence after learning of a possibly suicidal man.

— erin jensen, USA TODAY, "'Flip or Flop's' Christina El Moussa gets her own HGTV series with 'Christina on the Coast'," 27 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

learn Synonyms

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

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)