learn

verb \ ˈlərn \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 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

Ramadan and the upcoming holiday season are a good time for people of different faiths to learn more about each other.

— daniel burke, CNN, "American Muslims on Trump's iftar: Thanks, but no thanks," 5 June 2018
Read more Wildlife Watch stories here, and learn more about National Geographic Society’s nonprofit mission at nationalgeographic.org .

— National Geographic, "‘Holy Grail' Test for Illegal Cyanide-Caught Aquarium Fish May Be Fatally Flawed," 5 June 2018
Sunday’s participants gathered at the Proesel Park picnic shelter, first to pick up walking logs and to learn more about the program.

— gina grillo, chicagotribune.com, "'Go' summer fitness programs gets going in Lincolnwood," 4 June 2018
To learn more about The CORE Institute’s medical tourism program and pricing, visit thecoreinstitute.com/medical-tourism.

— leigh farr, azcentral, "Healthy travel," 4 June 2018
Libertyville Junior Woman's Club Meeting: Join this group at a monthly meeting to learn more about how tp get involved in supporting the community and making lifelong friends.

— Lake County News-Sun, "Calendar: Wednesday features farmers, gourmet and fresh markets around Lake County," 3 June 2018
The visit was aimed at learning more about strategies for ensuring positive and supportive campus environments in part as a means of preventing school shootings.

— alia wong, The Atlantic, "The Trump Administration's Approach to School Violence Is More Style Than Substance," 2 June 2018
Take a look at the winning designs below, then head over to the AIA website to learn more about each project.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "The AIA has selected 11 noteworthy small-scale projects," 1 June 2018
To learn more about the horses, there will be daily demonstrations June 8 through June 10.

— kayla fitzgerald, sacbee, "Wild horses trained by jail inmates are offered for adoption at Cal Expo," 31 May 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)