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Definitions

learn

[lurn] / lɜrn /




Usage

What are other ways to say learn? To learn is to add to one's knowledge or information: to learn a language. To ascertain is to verify facts by inquiry or analysis: to ascertain the truth about an event. To detect implies becoming aware of something that had been obscure, secret, or concealed: to detect a flaw in reasoning. The verb discover is used with objective clauses as a synonym of learn in order to suggest that the new information acquired is surprising to the learner: I discovered that she had been married before.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for learn?
To learn is to acquire knowledge of something through study and/or experience. The process of acquiring knowledge is called learning. To learn a subject or topic is to gain understanding of it—to grasp it. To learn a skill is to become proficient in it (and perhaps eventually to master it). In many cases, learning is the result of teaching. But learning isn’t always formal, like that done in school. We often learn things by teaching ourselves. Learning often involves working to understand something, but sometimes it happens almost automatically. The informal term pick up is sometimes used in the context of acquiring knowledge or skills in this way, such as through immersion, as in I picked up Italian when I spent two semesters in Rome. Another sense of learn (used in phrases like learn of and learn about) means to become or be made aware of something. This often involves hearing about or being informed about something, but sometimes it is more active. Synonyms for the more active sense include ascertain, detect, and discover.
What is another word for eager to learn?
Someone who is eager to learn often has a thirst for knowledge. Such a person is often inherently curious. Students who are eager to learn are often studious. A more general term is enthusiastic.
What is another word for a quick learner?
A quick or fast learner could be described as a quick study. You could describe such a person as having a quick mind or a ready grasp of something or, more informally, as having a mind like a sponge. Such a person could also be described as perceptive.
Is it learnt or learned?
Learned and learnt are both past tense forms of learn, but learned is far more common, especially in everyday speech.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

He adds, "Moreover, sooner or later, there may be another coronavirus pandemic, which means we need to learn all the lessons we can from COVID-19 to be better prepared."

From Science Daily Aug. 16, 2026

He came in as a blank sheet last season and tries to learn every day.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 16, 2026

Watch the video to learn more about the “Texas hedge” concept and how it applied to the near-implosion of Situational Awareness.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 15, 2026

Investors must learn to live with uncertainty about any supplies from the Gulf even if an agreement on the strait eventually appears, Christopher Smart writes.

From Barron's Aug. 15, 2026

I would need to learn how to control that many dogs.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

The reader is an outside observer and learns about things in a realistic manner.

From Salon Jul. 28, 2026

Randolph said it’s a testament to how quickly Wallace adapts and learns in a new environment.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 25, 2026

The more Yoriko Kitagawa learns of a massive data centre to be built near her home in Hino on the outskirts of Tokyo, the more she worries.

From Barron's Jul. 17, 2026

At the conclusion of the chapter, after all the relevant evidence has been presented, the reader learns if the defendant was found guilty and whether Virginia’s governor commuted the judge’s sentence.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 10, 2026

If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline and endurance.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Become a connector: After dropping out, Guo became a Thiel fellow and learned the power of building a network.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 16, 2026

“I’ve learned you’re fighting against time,” Eboigbodin said.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 16, 2026

They then learned if it was safe to return or if their home needed significant repairs or had been lost entirely.

From BBC Aug. 16, 2026

Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told ABC’s “This Week” that morale aboard the Lincoln has improved since sailors learned they will finally be coming home.

From Salon Aug. 16, 2026

I have this sense that she might be able to plug my answers into a formula I never learned and tell me what the heck is going on.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Diagnosed with autism, Arday had said he was non-verbal until age 11 and only learnt to read and write at 18, before becoming Cambridge's professor of sociology of education at 37.

From Barron's Aug. 15, 2026

In the wake of the announcement, Magyar said on Facebook that he had learnt of the alleged raid from Fidesz.

From Barron's Jul. 21, 2026

On Friday evening, Berlin state finance minister Stefan Evers was appointed to replace him as the CDU's lead candidate, AFP learnt from internal party sources.

From Barron's Jul. 10, 2026

He also learnt a new skill for the movie: "I did a lot of swordfighting, which I loved".

From BBC Jul. 8, 2026

Descartes exploded again, telling Beeckman he had learnt as much from him as he had learnt from ants and worms.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

The real reason is that the world is learning to live without using as much oil as it used to.

From MarketWatch Aug. 16, 2026

“Once I got to the LSU beach team and started learning the game and actually playing, I just came to find a new love for the sport,” Rodriguez said.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 16, 2026

There wasn’t a smartphone in sight—Rees says she hates technology and has home-schooled her children since learning how reliant schools had become on screens.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 16, 2026

"I do think, or hope, that people are learning not to dismiss this very profound and long-lasting relationship so easily."

From BBC Aug. 15, 2026

‘But that’s what I’m learning about history,’ I say.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler




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