Learn Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

2024.11.11 13:50

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learn

verb

ˈlərn learned ˈlərnd ˈlərnt ; learning Synonyms of learn

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 ˈlər-nə-bəl adjective learner noun 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.

Synonyms

get master pick up See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 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

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. See More Recent Examples on the Web These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples. As philosopher George Santayana reminds us, those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it. Josh Becker, The Mercury News , 7 Nov. 2024 The cerebral cortex is the brain’s outermost layer and is involved in many of the higher functions of the human brain including memory, learning , reasoning, problem-solving, and emotions.. Laura Baisas, Popular Science , 6 Nov. 2024 Contact us to learn more, obtain more information, and/or arrange a campus tour at South Orange County Community College District, 28000 Marguerite Pkwy #3699, Mission Viejo, CA 92692. Advertorial, Orange County Register , 6 Nov. 2024 Jefferson County residents can learn more about polling locations below. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal , 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for learn

Word History

Etymology

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 the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler The first known use of learn was before the 12th century See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing learn

learn (something) at one's mother's knee learn the ropes learn to live with something live and learn you live and (you) learn

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'Teach 'em' or 'Learn 'em'?

When did 'learn' stop meaning "to teach?"

Dictionary Entries Near learn

lea rig

learn

learned

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

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“Learn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/learn. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

learn

verb ˈlərn learned ˈlərnd ˈlərnt ; learning 1 : to gain knowledge or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience 2 : memorize learn the lines of a play 3 a : to come to be able to learn to swim b : to come to realize 4 substandard : to cause to learn : teach 5 : find out , ascertain 6 : to acquire knowledge never too late to learn learnable ˈlər-nə-bəl adjective learner noun

Medical Definition

learn

verb ˈlərn learned ˈlərnd ˈlərnt also learnt ˈlərnt ; learning

transitive verb

: to acquire (a change in behavior) by learning

intransitive verb

: to acquire a behavioral tendency by learning learner noun

More from Merriam-Webster on learn

Nglish: Translation of learn for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of learn for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: 10 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences Love words? Need even more definitions?

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