ˈlərn, ˈlə̄n, ˈləin dial ˈlärn or -ˈlȧn verb
( learned -nd, -nt, Brit usually -nt ; also learnt -nt ; learned also learnt ; learning ; learns )
Etymology: Middle English lernen, from Old English leornian; akin to Old High German lirnēn, lernēn to learn, -leisa track, Latin lira furrow, track, Russian lekha garden bed, furrow; basic meaning: furrow, track
transitive verb
1.
a. : to gain knowledge or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience : receive instruction in
learn a language
learn arithmetic
learn a trade
learn dancing
a law which must … be learnt, but can never be taught — Havelock Ellis
only just learnt how to enjoy life — Joyce Cary
b. : to develop an ability to or readiness for by practice, training, or repeated experience — usually used with an infinitive
learn to read
c. : to become aware : realize
he had learned that in order to do what he wanted in writing he would have to publish himself — H.S.Canby
d. : to acquire (as a skill or habit or a modification of an existing habit) through experience, practice, or exercise
we learn our responses — W.H.Kilpatrick
e. : to commit to memory : memorize
2.
a. now chiefly substandard : teach
send the Sirocco ten times a year … to learn us to be toads — F.M.Ford
had to learn myself just about … everything — Harold Sinclair
that will learn you to keep out of mischief
I'll learn you to have done with misspellings — Augusta Gregory
b. obsolete : to inform (a person) of something
3. : to find out : ascertain , hear
I learn that he will arrive shortly
what have you learned about this matter
intransitive verb
: to acquire knowledge or skill : make progress in acquiring instruction or skill : receive instruction
learned fast and well when he put his mind to it
evidently went to school to play, not to learn
Synonyms: see discover