learn
to acquire knowledge of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience: to learn French;to learn to ski.
to become informed of or acquainted with; ascertain: to learn the truth.
to memorize: He learned the poem so he could recite it at the dinner.
to gain (a habit, mannerism, etc.) by experience, exposure to example, or the like; acquire: She learned patience from her father.
(of a device or machine, especially a computer) to perform an analogue of human learning with artificial intelligence.
Nonstandard. to instruct in; teach.
to acquire knowledge or skill: to learn rapidly.
to become informed (usually followed by of): to learn of an accident.
Origin of learn
1Other words from learn
- learn·a·ble, adjective
- mis·learn, verb, mis·learned or mis·learnt, mis·learn·ing.
- outlearn, verb (used with object), out·learned or out·learnt, out·learn·ing.
- re·learn, verb, re·learned or re·learnt, re·learn·ing.
Words that may be confused with learn
- learn , teach
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use learn in a sentence
But throughout it all, Ryan learns the true meaning of the holidays and spends it with family.
"Single source" reporting, as Carrie learns as the season's first episode takes off at full speed, is a very dangerous thing.
CIA Agents Assess: How Real Is ‘Homeland’? | Chuck Cogan, John MacGaffin | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe boxes are not arranged alphabetically, and a printer learns the case as one learns the typewriter keyboard.
The Stacks: H.L. Mencken on the 1904 Baltimore Fire | H.L. Mencken | October 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhile Ichabod is checking for non-existent cell service, Abbie learns that Moloch is planning to release a demon army on earth.
Naked Ben Franklin Christens the Campy Return of ‘Sleepy Hollow’ | Amy Zimmerman | September 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTJust prior to finding out this news, he learns what “released” actually means.
Why 'The Giver' Movie Will Disappoint the Book's Fans | Kevin Fallon | August 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
He need not stop further study, but whatever else he learns let him at least practise this daily recital for one month.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)I've tried to teach lots of folks; an' sum learns quick, an' some don't never learn; it's jest 's 't strikes 'em.
Ramona | Helen Hunt JacksonAn impatient pupil who never learns anything thoroughly often disregards the rule about silent consonants.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)After a certain number of experiences the child learns the appearance of a square.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)His mother was soon able to report to Fanny that Pierre is behaving better and learns willingly with his new teacher.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky | Modeste Tchaikovsky
British Dictionary definitions for learn
/ (lɜːn) /
(when tr, may take a clause as object) to gain knowledge of (something) or acquire skill in (some art or practice)
(tr) to commit to memory
(tr) to gain by experience, example, etc
(intr; often foll by of or about) to become informed; know
not standard to teach
Origin of learn
1Derived forms of learn
- learnable, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with learn
In addition to the idioms beginning with learn
- learn by heart
- learn one's lesson
- learn to live with
also see:
- by heart, learn
- little knowledge (learning) is a dangerous thing
- live and learn
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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