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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:

Fedorova's employers said Wednesday they were astonished to learn of the expulsion order, which they said amounted to "a particularly serious infringement of freedom of expression".

From Barron's Jul. 30, 2026

He tracked down veterans to learn more about his missing father and worked to ensure POWs’ sacrifices were recognized.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 30, 2026

“And I’ve been really proud of what he’s been doing and how he’s taking accountability for some of the things that we can learn from.”

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 30, 2026

They learn to inhabit perspectives that are not their own, and to recognize the humanity within them.

From Salon Jul. 30, 2026

“You will watch your recap, and you will continue watching recaps until you learn the importance of a second. We will get this simulation on your schedule for next week.”

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

“There are consequences within our family and we will make sure our son learns from this accident.”

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 10, 2026

Get familiar with this term, because it basically means AI teaches itself and then learns and works on its own.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 9, 2026

At the hospital, Jack learns that the man behind the wheel was Governor George McRyan, a presidential hopeful polling extremely well in the primaries, who left a campaign event with Sally as his escort.

From Salon Jul. 4, 2026

In an interview with the Financial Times, the Turing Award winner lamented that, although "he learns fast," Wang has "no experience with research" and was on "a dead end" quest.

From Barron's Jul. 1, 2026

“This one learns as much in one day as most do in a year,” she smiled.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

Traore learned his first playbook in a matter of days, which is like learning a new language.

From BBC Jul. 30, 2026

I’ve learned so much about business from doing that.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 30, 2026

The executives learned about the passion of “Jeopardy!” fans when Sony tried to replace Trebek with Mike Richards, the program’s executive producer at the time.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 30, 2026

We are living through a crisis of empathy and, more precisely, of empathy not being learned.

From Salon Jul. 30, 2026

I would’ve graduated in another year, but by now I’d learned everything that would help me run the store with Ba, which was what I’d decided to do.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

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

"No lessons have been learnt at Pentonville prison, no procedures have been put in place to prevent these deaths," said Saroj.

From BBC Jul. 9, 2026

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

From BBC Jul. 8, 2026

If you have learnt that Mont Blanc is 4000 metres high, if you have looked it up on the map, you say you know it.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Reformation uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to rapidly gauge customer reactions to products and forecast future demand.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 30, 2026

Her persistent concern is about the near-omnipresent odor and whether it will disrupt learning.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 30, 2026

Traore learned his first playbook in a matter of days, which is like learning a new language.

From BBC Jul. 30, 2026

The hippocampus is a brain region that plays a central role in learning and memory.

From Science Daily Jul. 29, 2026

Like Brie wants Teddy to do— instead of learning to write his name before he’s ready or needing to put every piece of a puzzle in the right place.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison




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