learn

learn — verb

1. to gain knowledge about a subject or develop the ability to do something through

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveA1
Definition

to gain knowledge about a subject or develop the ability to do something through studying, practising, or experiencing it

Example

Iker learned to swim when he was four years old.

learn + to-infinitive

Ada is learning Japanese because her company has an office in Tokyo.

learn + noun for a language

Common collocations
  • learn a language
  • learn a skill
  • learn to read/write/swim
  • learn about
  • learn from
  • learn quickly/slowly
Synonyms
  • study

    focuses on the deliberate act of reading and practicing; you can study without learning

  • pick up

    informal; suggests casual, unintentional learning without formal instruction

  • master

    implies reaching a high level of skill, beyond basic learning

Antonyms
  • teach

    the opposite action — giving knowledge instead of receiving it

Grammar Patterns

learn + noun phrase (e.g. learn Spanish, learn a skill)

learn + to-infinitive (e.g. learn to swim)

learn + how + to-infinitive (e.g. learn how to drive)

learn + about + noun phrase (e.g. learn about history)

Usage Note

Frequently used with 'about' when referring to a general topic (learn about history) and with a direct object for a specific subject or skill (learn French, learn to drive). The object is always what is gained, not the source.

Common Mistakes

I learned to swimming last summer.
I learned to swim last summer.
after 'learn to', use the base form of the verb, not the -ing form.
I am learning English since two years.
I have been learning English for two years.
use the present perfect tense for an action that started in the past and continues.

2. to read and say written words over and over until they stay in your mind perfect

2.verbtransitiveA2
Definition

to read and say written words over and over until they stay in your mind perfectly and you do not need to look at them

Example

Joon learned all the US state capitals by heart for the geography test.

learn + noun phrase + by heart (memorization)

The actors had only three days to learn their lines before the opening night.

learn + noun (lines/script) for performance

Common collocations
  • learn by heart
  • learn your lines
  • learn a poem/song/prayer
  • learn the words
Synonyms
  • memorize

    more formal; the direct synonym for learning something exactly as written

  • commit to memory

    formal; often used in academic contexts

Antonyms
  • forget

    to lose something from memory after having learned it

Grammar Patterns

learn + noun phrase (e.g. learn a poem, learn the words)

learn + noun phrase + by heart

Usage Note

Commonly used with 'by heart' to emphasize perfect recall from memory. In British English, 'learn something off by heart' is also frequent. Contrast with sense 1: sense 2 focuses on memorizing exact wording, not gaining general understanding.

Common Mistakes

I learned the song by memory.
I learned the song by heart.
'by heart' is the standard fixed expression, not 'by memory'.

3. to come to understand through things that happen to you that a different attitud

3.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to come to understand through things that happen to you that a different attitude or way of acting is needed

Example

After burning dinner three times, Tuan learned not to leave the kitchen while cooking.

learn + to-infinitive for behavioral change after a negative experience

Adisa learned that asking for help is better than trying to fix everything alone.

learn + that-clause expressing a life insight

Common collocations
  • learn from your mistakes
  • learn the hard way
  • learn a lesson
  • learn to accept
  • learn from experience
Synonyms
  • realize

    focuses on the moment of understanding rather than the process of behavioral change

  • come to understand

    emphasizes the gradual nature of the insight

Antonyms
  • ignore

    to deliberately not learn from experience or advice

Grammar Patterns

learn + that-clause (e.g. learn that honesty matters)

learn + to-infinitive (e.g. learn to be patient)

learn + from + noun phrase (e.g. learn from your mistakes)

Usage Note

Often used with 'from' to indicate the source of the lesson (learn from your mistakes, learn from experience). 'Learn the hard way' is a fixed expression meaning to learn through a difficult or painful experience rather than being told.

Common Mistakes

The mistake learned me to be careful.
The mistake taught me to be careful.
'learn' cannot take a person as its object in standard English; use 'teach' for that structure.

4. to hear news or facts about something, so that they become things you now know

4.verbtransitiveA2
Definition

to hear news or facts about something, so that they become things you now know

Example

Sade learned about the job opening from a friend who works at the same company.

learn + about + noun phrase (receiving news)

We learned yesterday that the school will be closed for repairs next month.

learn + that-clause for news

Common collocations
  • learn the news
  • learn the truth
  • learn of
  • surprised/shocked to learn
  • learn about an event
Synonyms
  • find out

    more informal; very common in everyday speech

  • discover

    suggests active searching or a more significant revelation

  • hear

    implies being told by someone; less formal than 'learn'

Antonyms
  • conceal

    to keep information hidden so others do not learn about it

Grammar Patterns

learn + that-clause (e.g. learn that the meeting is cancelled)

learn + about + noun phrase (e.g. learn about the accident)

learn + of + noun phrase (e.g. learn of his departure, formal)

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1, this sense does not involve study or practice — you simply receive information. 'Learn of' is more formal than 'learn about'. A that-clause is very common in this sense (learn that + clause).

Common Mistakes

I learned the news by my friend.
I learned the news from my friend.
use 'from' to indicate the source of information, not 'by'.
Idioms

know/learn/find something to your cost

idiom

To discover something unpleasant through your own bad experience.

Maya learned to her cost that the bridge was unsafe.

I found to my cost that trusting strangers can be risky.

learn (something) the hard way

idiom

To learn something by experiencing difficulties or mistakes instead of being taught.

Diego learned the hard way not to leave his bike unlocked.

Did you learn the hard way that procrastination causes stress?

learn your lesson

idiom

To understand what to avoid in the future because of a past bad experience.

After failing the exam, Sara learned her lesson and studied harder.

Brian learned his lesson when he got lost without a map.

show somebody/know/learn the ropes

idiom

To teach or learn the basic skills needed for a job or activity.

The senior engineer showed the new intern the ropes.

It took Aiden a month to learn the ropes at the bakery.

you live and learn

idiom

Used to express surprise when you hear something new or unexpected.

You live and learn — I never knew octopuses have three hearts.

Well, you live and learn; I thought all bats were blind.

Word family

  • learner
    nounA1
  • learning
    nounA1
  • learned
    adjectiveB2
  • unlearn
    verbC1
  • learnable
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Study and learn are closely related but the focus differs: study describes the deliberate activity of reading and reviewing material (I studied for three hours), whereas learn emphasizes the successful outcome of gaining knowledge or ability (I learned a lot from the lecture). Master goes a step further, meaning to reach a very high level of skill or thorough understanding (She mastered the guitar after years of practice). Pick up is an informal phrasal verb that suggests casual, incidental learning without formal effort (He picked up some Spanish while travelling in Mexico). Absorb suggests taking in information gradually and naturally, like a sponge soaking up water (Children absorb the language of their parents effortlessly). When choosing among these, consider whether you want to highlight the activity (study), the result (learn), the depth (master), the informality (pick up), or the naturalness (absorb).

study ↗master ↗pick up ↗absorb ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The verb 'learn' comes from Old English 'leornian' meaning 'to get knowledge, to study, to think about'. It traces back further to Proto-Germanic *liznojan, which is related to the German 'lernen' (to learn) and English 'lore' (knowledge). The ancient root carries the image of following a track or furrow — suggesting that learning was once thought of as tracing a path laid down by others before you.