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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:

But Dubois is a beast and will learn really well, I was impressed in that fight he learned while being hurt which is difficult.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

In their 20s, they learn how the family council works and how to be effective in a boardroom.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

As Michael and Olivia investigate, they learn that Moondancer was quietly transitioning from public entertainment events to manufacturing AI-driven military/kamikaze drones.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

I’ve heard some reporters saying they won’t even bother to learn how to spell her name.

From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2026

You explain the situation, that you’re trying to learn the same thing.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Once a person learns the technique, it can potentially become part of ordinary daily movement without requiring continued use of specialized equipment.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

There are the now-traditional scenes in which Carrie learns to consciously control her telekinetic superpowers, previously manifested by accidentally setting off car alarms, opening mailboxes and causing a rain of rocks on her parents’ roof.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

It learns from the order and timing of a borrower’s transactions to predict their ability to repay debt, and the likelihood of delinquency.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

Their weights, or the numeral parameters that the model learns throughout the training process, can be downloaded directly and run locally.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026

She learns that he is interned at a camp in Los Baños, nestled between Mount Makiling and Laguna de Bay.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Over time, we have learned there are really two parts to moving abroad.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

Cuban American poet Kyle Carrero Lopez first learned what sanctions were as a child — not as a political measure, but as a gendered one.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026

It's hoped what is learned in this project could have wider applications across Northern Ireland.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

Large language models, the technology behind many modern AI chatbots, generate text by using patterns learned from enormous amounts of language data to predict what should come next.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026

I eventually learned the moving and stationary parts, the chemistry of oils and solutions, tool and grindwheel and magnifying techniques.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Gradually, they learnt how it worked and grew confident using it.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

On the intervening night of 8 and 9 June, Satish Salian was called by the police to a hospital where he learnt that his only child was dead.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

He added: "We've also learnt that cool heads are needed, even in those most horrific of circumstances."

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

This most basic of lessons has since been largely – although not completely – learnt, and sharing between Western intelligence agencies is infinitely better than it was in 2001.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

And, if Maxim was not with me, the hearing of them would be a furtive, rather painful pleasure, guilty knowledge learnt in the dark.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

A massive data breach of the Instructure Canvas learning system hit UC, CSU and other schools across the nation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

"Everybody should be in there learning, having fun, looking forward to their weekend, and it's just vacant," she said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

Catherine has looked for ideas for improving early years education, including her trip earlier this year to Reggio Emilia in Italy, which had developed a system that prioritised relationships and learning through play.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

Generational labels are as alluring as love languages and learning styles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

But that always happens in the beginning of learning new material.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold


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