learn
lurn
Learn (verb) means to gain knowledge or a skill through study, practice, or experience. Example: “She learned to play the piano as a child.”
verb
1
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."
"Children learn quickly when lessons are fun and they get to practise."
2
To find out or become aware of a fact.
"They learned the news from a neighbor."
"I was sorry to learn that the shop had closed down."
"When did you learn that your flight had been delayed?"
How to use learn
Learner’s notesIn 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.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
learn a language
learn from mistakes
learn the hard way
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Word forms
- Plural
- learns
- Third person singular
- learns
- Past tense
- learned, learnt
- Archaic forms
- learnest, learnedst, learneth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for learn
See all rhymes for learn →Frequently asked questions
What does “learn” mean?
The word “learn” means to gain knowledge or a skill through study, practice, or experience. In plain terms, to gain new knowledge or skill, or to find out something.
How do you pronounce “learn”?
“Learn” is pronounced lurn (/lɝn/ in IPA).
How do you use “learn” in a sentence?
Here is “learn” used in a sentence: “She learned to play the piano as a child.”
What is another word for “learn”?
Words with a similar meaning to “learn” include study.
What is the opposite of “learn”?
The opposite of “learn” — its antonyms — are forget and teach.
What part of speech is “learn”?
“Learn” is a verb.
Where does the word “learn” come from?
The word “learn” comes from Old English. From Old English leornian, going back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "track" or "trail" — the idea of following a path to knowledge.
Is “learn” a common word?
“Learn” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between learning and studying?
Studying is the effort you put in — reading, reviewing, and practising material with focus. Learning is the result: the knowledge or skill you actually gain and keep. You can study for hours yet learn little, or learn quickly through experience without formal study. Studying is the activity; learning is the outcome.
What are the main ways people learn?
People learn in several ways: through study, such as reading and instruction; through practice, by repeating an action until it becomes skill; and through experience, by living through events and drawing lessons from them. Many people also learn socially, by watching and imitating others. Most real learning blends all of these together.
Can anyone learn anything?
Within reason, most people can learn most skills given time, effort, and good teaching, though talent and circumstances affect how quickly. Age, practice, and motivation matter more than many assume. Very few abilities are truly closed to a willing learner, but some demand far more patience and repetition than others.
Why is learning important?
Learning lets people adapt, solve problems, and improve their lives and work. It builds the knowledge and skills a person needs to make decisions, earn a living, and understand the world. Because circumstances constantly change, the ability to keep learning throughout life is one of the most valuable human capacities.
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