learn

verb

\ˈlərn

learned\ˈlərnd,

ˈlərnt

\; learning

Definition of learn

transitive verb

1a(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

2a 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

Other Words from learn Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Can learn mean teach?: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Learn More about learn

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Synonyms & Antonyms for learn

Synonyms

get, master, pick up

Antonyms

unlearn

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

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.

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 on the Web

Heavy stuff, but an important lesson to learn no matter the state of the world. — Sydney Bucksbaum, Teen Vogue, "Cassandra Clare's "Queen of Air and Darkness" Completely Shakes Up the Shadowhunters Universe While Mirroring the Real World," 3 Dec. 2018 There’s still much to learn from the remodel, and an initial energy audit will show eventually show how the retrofitted structure performs over time. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Can a remodeled 1920s home revolutionize green building?," 3 Dec. 2018 But both also have the potential to learn from their mistakes and do something extraordinary. — Samantha Nelson, The Verge, "George R.R. Martin’s Nightflyers asks whether humanity deserves to be saved," 29 Nov. 2018 Sagittarius Your jet-setting friend loves to learn, expand her mind, and of course, travel. — Michaela Bechler, Vogue, "Home Gift Ideas for Every Star Sign," 27 Nov. 2018 In fact, Eberling was surprised to learn that the most beneficial recent invention for the deaf community was the smart phone. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "New wearable tech lets users listen to live music through their skin," 25 Nov. 2018 How to subscribe and start reading Subscribers can visit this page to learn how to access PCWorld on any device and start reading the current issue right away. — Pcworld Staff, PCWorld, "PCWorld's November Digital Magazine: Intel's 9th-gen chips are here," 21 Nov. 2018 Dantas set out to learn how some soil microbes not only thwart the toxin, but also thrive on it. — Jonathon Keats, Discover Magazine, "Bacteria That Eat Drugs Could Help Solve the Antibiotic Resistance Crisis," 8 Nov. 2018 Come hell or high water, Kevin is determined to learn the truth about Jack's time in the war. — Candice Frederick, Harper's BAZAAR, "This Is Us Episode Recaps," 31 Oct. 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.