learn — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To acquire, or attempt to acquire knowledge or an ability to do something.

   Examples

   I want to learn a new language.

   I want to learn Spanish.

   It's time Dad learned (how) to change the oil in the car.

   In my latest job, I've learnt to keep my mouth shut more than in the last one.

   More examples (6)

   Toddlers learn to walk at around one year old.

   a school in which he learns sly circumvention

   I was very impressed with the obvious amount of work that went into the learning and synchronization of such a complex and harmonically and difficult score.

   I have learned far more from them about how to be a scientist than they realize. Above all else, they taught me the virtues of proper waterfowl alignment.

   Every day I learn more about this great city.

   Other rules learnt by butlers include lighting candles 15 minutes before guests enter a room, and not saying "good morning" to guests until you are 5ft away.

2. To attend a course or other educational activity.

   Examples

   For, as he took delight to introduce me, I took delight to learn.

3. To gain knowledge from a bad experience so as to improve.

   Examples

   learn from one's mistakes

4. To study.

   Examples

   I learn medicine.

   They learn psychology.

5. To come to know; to become informed of; to find out.

   Examples

   I learned that the shop had closed.

   He just learned that he will be sacked.

6. To teach.

   Examples

   Give him a clip round the ear. That'll learn him!

   More examples (1)

   And whan she had serched hym she fond in the bottome of his wound that therin was poyson And soo she heled hym[…] and therfore Tramtrist cast grete loue to la beale Isoud for she was at that tyme the fairest mayde and lady of the worlde And there Tramtryst lerned her to harpe and she beganne to haue grete fantasye vnto hym

   Sweete Prince, you learne me noble thankfulnes: […]

   More examples (4)

   Haue I not bene Thy Pupill long? Haſt thou not learn'd me how To make Perfumes?

   […] Take heed of filling their [i.e., children's] heads with VVhimzies, and unprofitable Notions; for this vvill ſooner learn them to be malepert and proud, than ſober and humble.

   But we’ll play Robin Hood—it’s noble fun. I’ll learn you.

   That'll learn him to bust my tomater.

Noun

1. The act of learning something.

   Related words

   lore

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   I did a quick learn of the place by watching the people shuffle in. There was a healthy mix of beautiful and freaky people, who shared a few common denominators[…]

Verb

1. gain knowledge or skills

   Synonyms

   larnacquire

   Broader terms

   acquirewingain

   Examples

   She learned dancing from her sister

   I learned Sanskrit

   More examples (1)

   Children acquire language at an amazing rate

2. get to know or become aware of, usually accidentally

   Synonyms

   hearget wordget windpick upfind outget a linediscoversee

   Broader terms

   actmove

   Examples

   I learned that she has two grown-up children

   I see that you have been promoted

3. commit to memory; learn by heart

   Synonyms

   memorizememorisecon

   Broader terms

   studyhit the books

   Examples

   Have you memorized your lines for the play yet?

4. be a student of a certain subject

   Synonyms

   studyreadtake

   Broader terms

   actmove

   Examples

   She is reading for the bar exam

5. impart skills or knowledge to

   Synonyms

   teachinstruct

   Broader terms

   inform

   Examples

   I taught them French

   He instructed me in building a boat

6. find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort

   Synonyms

   determinecheckfind outseeascertainwatch

   Broader terms

   actmove

   Examples

   I want to see whether she speaks French

   See whether it works

   More examples (2)

   find out if he speaks Russian

   Check whether the train leaves on time