learn

learn

verb \ˈlərn\

learned\ˈlərnd, ˈlərnt\learn·ing

Definition of LEARN

transitive verb

1

a (1) : to gain knowledge or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience <learn a trade> (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

— learn·able \ˈlər-nə-bəl\ adjective

— learn·er noun

Usage Discussion of LEARN

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

1. People learn throughout their lives.
2. I can't swim yet, but I'm learning.
3. She's interested in learning French.
4. We had to learn the rules of the game.
5. I'm trying to learn my lines for the play.
6. We had to learn the names of the state capitals.
7. She learned through a letter that her father had died.
8. I later learned that they had never called.
9. We finally learned the truth about what had happened.

Origin 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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to LEARN

Synonyms: get, master, pick up, get the hang of

Antonyms: unlearn

Related Words: apprehend, comprehend, grasp, know, understand; absorb, assimilate, digest, drink (in), imbibe; ascertain, descry, detect, determine, dig up, discern, discover, examine, find out, hear, hit (on or upon), run down, scare up, search (for), see, track (down), tumble (to), unearth; major (in), study; memorize

Near Antonyms: forget; misunderstand; miss, overlook; disregard, ignore, neglect

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at discover

Rhymes with LEARN

Bern, burn, churn, earn, erne, fern, kern, pirn, quern, spurn, stern, tern, terne, turn, urn, yearn