verb

learn

lurn

verb

To gain knowledge or a skill through study, practice, or experience.

"She learned to play the piano as a child."

"He learned Spanish while living in Madrid."

To find out or become aware of a fact.

"They learned the news from a neighbor."

How to Use Learn

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo gain new knowledge or skill, or to find out something.

Common mistake

Using "learn" to mean "teach" ("I'll learn you a lesson") is nonstandard/dialectal in modern English, though it was standard centuries ago.

Common pairings

learn a language learn from mistakes learn the hard way

Word Forms

learned past tense, learnt past tense, learn plural, learns plural, learned plural, Learns plural, learns singular, learn singular, learned singular, learnest singular, learnedst singular, learneth singular

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She _____ to play the piano as a child.

Etymology

From Old English leornian, going back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "track" or "trail" — the idea of following a path to knowledge.

Synonyms

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study

Antonyms

forget teach

Related Words

remember forget teach logic research study explain examine

Rhymes for learn

earn yearn Hearn

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