Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):

   • To gain knowledge or skill through study, experience, or being taught: The core meaning of "learn" is the process of acquiring new information, understanding, or abilities.
   • To become aware of information, often by being told or finding out: "Learn" can also mean to receive or discover a fact or piece of information.
   • To memorize something so it can be recalled: "Learn" can mean to commit specific information to memory.

2. Verb (Intransitive):

   • To acquire knowledge or skill: Used without a direct object to describe the general process of learning.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (Transitive):

  • Children learn language very quickly. (They acquire the skill of language.)
  • I learned a new recipe from the chef. (I gained the knowledge of how to cook it.)
  • She learned the truth about the incident. (She became aware of the facts.)
  • The actor had to learn his lines. (He had to memorize his script.)

• Verb (Intransitive):

  • It's important to learn from your mistakes. (To gain understanding from experience.)
  • Some people learn best by doing. (They acquire skills most effectively through practice.)

Advanced Usage

• "Learn to do something": To acquire the skill or ability to perform a specific action.
  • He learned to swim when he was five.
• "Learn that...": A common structure for discovering or being informed of a fact.
  • We were sad to learn that the museum had closed.
• "Learn about/of something": To gain knowledge concerning a particular subject or event.
  • In history class, we learn about ancient civilizations.
  • I've just learned of your promotion. Congratulations!

Variants and Related Words

• Learner (n): A person who is learning.
  • She is a fast learner.
• Learned (adj): Having much knowledge acquired by study. Pronounced /ˈlɜːrnɪd/.
  • He is a learned scholar.
• Learning (n): The acquisition of knowledge or skills.
  • Lifelong learning is essential in the modern world.
• Relearn (v): To learn something again.
  • After the injury, he had to relearn how to walk.

Synonyms

• Acquire: To gain possession or skill.
• Master: To learn thoroughly or gain expertise.
• Memorize: To commit to memory.
• Discover: To find out something previously unknown.
• Ascertain: To find out with certainty.

Phrasal Verbs

• Learn from: To gain useful knowledge or experience from someone or something.
  • We should learn from past failures to avoid future ones.
• Learn of/about: To become informed concerning something (see Advanced Usage).

Idioms and Common Phrases

• Learn the ropes: To learn the basics or essential procedures of a job or activity.
  • The new intern is still learning the ropes.
• Learn (something) the hard way: To gain understanding through difficult or unpleasant experience rather than instruction.
  • I learned the hard way that you should always back up your files.
• Live and learn: An expression said when one has just gained new knowledge from experience, often surprising or disappointing.
  • I thought the meeting was tomorrow. Oh well, live and learn.

Verb

1. find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
   • I want to see whether she speaks French
   • See whether it works
   • find out if he speaks Russian
   • Check whether the train leaves on time
2. impart skills or knowledge to
   • I taught them French
   • He instructed me in building a boat
3. be a student of a certain subject
   • She is reading for the bar exam
4. commit to memory; learn by heart
   • Have you memorized your lines for the play yet?
5. get to know or become aware of, usually accidentally
   • I learned that she has two grown-up children
   • I see that you have been promoted
6. gain knowledge or skills
   • She learned dancing from her sister
   • I learned Sanskrit
   • Children acquire language at an amazing rate