Learn
/lɜːrn/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo acquire knowledge, understanding, or skill through experience, study, or being taught.
/lɜːrn/
To gain knowledge or skill through study, experience, or being taught.
I am learning to play the piano.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're a detective, and learning is like finding clues. You gather facts, like when you learn about different animals or how to ride a bike. Each new thing you understand makes you a better detective!
👶 For kids: To learn means to find out about something new and get smarter!
More Examples
She learned a lot about history during her trip.
The dog quickly learned to sit when told.
How It's Used
"Students learn history in school."
"I am learning to code."
"She learned from her mistakes."
To become aware of or find out something; to discover or be told something.
/lɜːrn/
To become aware of something; to find out or discover.
I just learned that my cousin is getting married.
💡 Simply: Imagine getting a secret message. When you 'learn' something, it's like receiving that message – you suddenly know something you didn't before! For example, you might learn that your friend is having a birthday party.
👶 For kids: To learn something can also mean to find out something new!
More Examples
They learned of the accident on the news.
She learned the truth about the situation.
How It's Used
"I learned that my flight was delayed."
"We learned of his passing yesterday."
Idioms & expressions
learn the ropes
To learn the basic skills or procedures of a job or activity.
"It took me a few weeks to learn the ropes when I started my new job."
learn a lesson
To understand something as a result of an experience, often a negative one.
"After losing all my money, I learned a lesson about being careful with investments."
From Old English *leornian*, from Proto-Germanic *liznōną* ('to learn, know'). Related to 'lore' and 'lesson'.
Used since Old English, reflecting a fundamental human activity related to knowledge acquisition.