learn

verb \ ˈlərn \

|Updated on: 3 Aug 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

The park offers a Night Explorer Junior Ranger program for kids who want to learn more about the starry sky.

— megan michelson, Outside Online, "These Are the Best Stargazing Spots in North America," 13 July 2018
Whether that's in art, history, entertainment or in science, the best possible versions of ourselves are asking questions and trying to dig deeper, learn more.

— graeme mcmillan, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Last Space Race' Explores The Final Frontier Anew (Exclusive)," 12 July 2018
While going into beauty definitely seems to be a potential career path for Serafina's daughter, there's a lot to learn in the field, especially with nails.

— helena yeung, Teen Vogue, "10-Year-Old Girl Makes Clay Nails After Not Being Allowed to Wear Press-Ons," 12 July 2018
And nobody did anything of substance to compel me to learn more about their product or service.

— rob weinberg, Pomerado News, "Must trade shows be boring?," 12 July 2018
Building manager Caitlin Avramides said the Metropolitan doesn’t keep formal metrics on the success of the program but that the administration has gotten positive feedback from residents who appreciate learning more about their commuting options.

— kate magill, Howard County Times, "Howard County wants plans for limiting Columbia traffic as development continues," 12 July 2018
Watch a video of the game in action at a toy fair earlier this year, in which a young child learns firsthand just how difficult pimple-popping can be.

— leah prinzivalli, Allure, "Dr. Pimple Popper Launched a Pus-Shooting Board Game and Dear God, I'm Not OK," 11 July 2018
The National Institutes of Health initiative says doing so will help participants learn more about their own health.

— megan thielking, STAT, "National Academies panel urges researchers to routinely share test results with study participants," 10 July 2018
Another staff psychiatrist learned in April 2017 that management planned to discharge his patients.

— martha bellisle, The Seattle Times, "With patients at risk, Western State Hospital is ‘like going into hell’," 7 July 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)