v. 25B6; verb
learning a foreign language : ACQUIRE A KNOWLEDGE OF, acquire skill in, become competent in, become proficient in, grasp, master, take in, absorb, assimilate, digest, familiarize oneself with; study, read up on, be taught, have lessons in; informal get the hang of, get clued up about.
she learnt the poem by heart : MEMORIZE, learn by heart, commit to memory, learn parrot-fashion, get off/down pat; archaic con.
he learned that the school would shortly be closing : DISCOVER, find out, become aware, be informed, hear (tell); gather, understand, ascertain, establish; informal get wind of the fact; Brit. informal suss out.