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learn
[ lurn ]
verb (used with object)
- 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.
verb (used without object)
- to acquire knowledge or skill:
to learn rapidly.
- to become informed (usually followed by of ):
to learn of an accident.
learn
/ ɜː /
verb
- 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
Derived Forms
- ˈԲ, adjective
Other Word Forms
- a· adjective
- · verb mislearned or mislearnt mislearning
- dzܳl verb (used with object) outlearned or outlearnt outlearning
- · verb relearned or relearnt relearning
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of learn1
Idioms and Phrases
- by heart, learn
- little knowledge (learning) is a dangerous thing
- live and learn
Example Sentences
Emerging generations learned that moral concerns about their country’s engagement in faraway wars meant little to policymakers in Washington.
Boneta sourcing solutions to professional obstacles from industry veterans he admires evinces a willingness to admit that he’s learning as he goes.
“All the things that might not be learned,” she mused wistfully.
Another portion of the grant was going toward a program that helped older adults learn about science.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are spending their second and final day on the Isle of Mull with children taking part in an outdoor learning session with forest rangers.
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When To Use
are other ways to say learn?
To learn something is to acquire knowledge of it through study or experience. How does learn compare with discover, ascertain, and detect? Find out on .
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from 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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