adjective
Very common
learned
LUR-nihd
Learned (adjective) means having extensive knowledge, gained through years of study; scholarly. Example: “She was a learned woman who could quote poetry in four languages.”
adjective
1
Having extensive knowledge, gained through years of study; scholarly.
"She was a learned woman who could quote poetry in four languages."
"The learned professor had published dozens of papers."
"It was a learned and detailed lecture on Roman history."
2
A formal, respectful term used to refer to lawyers or judges in court.
"The learned judge asked counsel to keep the questions short."
"I am grateful to my learned friend for raising that point."
"My learned colleague will now present the evidence."
How to use learned
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving a lot of knowledge from study — or, in legal speech, a polite title for lawyers.
When to use it
The legal sense ("my learned friend") is formal courtroom language.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more learned
- Superlative
- most learned
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She was a _____ woman who could quote poetry in four languages.
Etymology
Past participle of learn, from Old English lǣran, "to teach."
Synonyms
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well-read
intellectual
cultured
academic
academical
cultivated
clueful
educated
erudite
in the know
knowledgeable
knowledgeful
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for learned
See all rhymes for learned →Frequently asked questions
What does “learned” mean?
The word “learned” means having extensive knowledge, gained through years of study; scholarly. In plain terms, having a lot of knowledge from study — or, in legal speech, a polite title for lawyers.
How do you pronounce “learned”?
“Learned” is pronounced LUR-nihd (/ˈlɝnɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “learned” in a sentence?
Here is “learned” used in a sentence: “The learned professor had published dozens of papers.”
What is another word for “learned”?
Words with a similar meaning to “learned” include academical, cultivated, clueful, educated, erudite and in the know.
What is the opposite of “learned”?
The opposite of “learned” — its antonyms — are ignorant, uncultivated, simple and innate.
What part of speech is “learned”?
“Learned” is an adjective.
Where does the word “learned” come from?
The word “learned” comes from Old English. Past participle of learn, from Old English lǣran, "to teach.".
Is “learned” a common word?
“Learned” is a very common word in modern English.
What is the difference between 'learned' and 'educated'?
Both describe someone knowledgeable, but 'learned' implies deep, wide knowledge gained through years of serious study, often academic or scholarly. 'Educated' more simply means having received schooling. A person can be educated without being learned; 'learned' suggests genuine expertise and intellectual depth, and is a stronger term of respect.
How do you pronounce 'learned'?
As an adjective meaning scholarly, 'learned' has two syllables: LER-nid. As the past tense of the verb 'learn,' it has one syllable: 'lernd.' So 'a learned professor' sounds very different from 'she learned to swim,' even though the two words are spelled exactly the same.
What is the difference between 'learned' and 'learnt'?
As the past tense of 'learn,' both are correct. 'Learned' is standard in American English and also used in Britain; 'learnt' is common in British and Commonwealth English. They mean exactly the same thing. This is separate from the adjective 'learned,' meaning scholarly, which is always spelled with '-ed.'
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