learn

verb

ˈlərn

learned ˈlərnd

ˈlərnt

; learning

Synonyms of learn next

transitive verb

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

: to come to be able

learn to dance

: to come to realize

learned that honesty paid

nonstandard : teach

obsolete : to inform of something

: 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.

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

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web The 12-2 Reds and the rest of the planet learn from, communicate with, and befriend our alien friends. —

Daniel Kohn, SPIN, 29 Mar. 2023 Queen Camilla and Frau Büdenbender will also stop at the Komische Opera in Berlin to learn more about the company's outreach projects and community engagement. —

Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2023 Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said the fire was started by migrants in protest after learning they would be deported or moved. —

CBS News, 29 Mar. 2023 Dallas County prosecutors allowed homicide cases to go to trial in recent weeks even after learning that evidence related to the crimes was permanently deleted, according to records obtained by The Dallas Morning News. —

Kelli Smith, Dallas News, 29 Mar. 2023 The school business manager learned of the scam and canceled the check before it could be cashed. —

Warren Kulo | Wkulo@al.com, al, 29 Mar. 2023 One of her most gratifying moments was learning that Muhammad Ali was a fan of hers. —

Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 29 Mar. 2023 Burbano had learned from experience when to offer condolences — when to pat a shoulder or take a hand — and when to give a wider berth. —

Jeneen Interlandi, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2023 One of the things that anyone who's gone through law school learns—especially women—is how to sound prosecutorial. —

Emily Leibert, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2023 See More

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

See more words from the same century