Word Study
learn
CIDE DICTIONARY
learn, v. t. [OE. lernen, leornen, AS. leornian; akin to OS. linōn, for lirnōn, OHG. lirnēn, lernēn, G. lernen, fr. the root of AS. l to teach, OS. lērian, OHG. lēran, G. lehren, Goth. laisjan, also Goth lais I know, leis acquainted (in comp.); all prob. from a root meaning, to go, go over, and hence, to learn; cf. AS. leoran to go. Cf. Last a mold of the foot, lore.].
- To gain knowledge or information of; to ascertain by inquiry, study, or investigation; to receive instruction concerning; to fix in the mind; to acquire understanding of, or skill; as, to learn the way; to learn a lesson; to learn dancing; to learn to skate; to learn the violin; to learn the truth about something. Is. i. 17. [1913 Webster]"Now learn a parable of the fig tree." [1913 Webster]
- To communicate knowledge to; to teach. [1913 Webster]" Learn formerly had also the sense of teach, in accordance with the analogy of the French and other languages, and hence we find it with this sense in Shakespeare, Spenser, and other old writers. This usage has now passed away. To learn is to receive instruction, and to teach is to give instruction. He who is taught learns, not he who teaches." [1913 Webster]"Hast thou not learned me how
To make perfumes ?" [1913 Webster]
learn, v. i.
To acquire knowledge or skill; to make progress in acquiring knowledge or skill; to receive information or instruction; as, this child learns quickly. [1913 Webster]
"Take my yoke upon you and learn of me." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
learn, v. (past and past part. learned or learnt)
1 tr. gain knowledge of or skill in by study, experience, or being taught.
2 tr. (foll. by to + infin.) acquire or develop a particular ability (learn to swim).
3 tr. commit to memory (will try to learn your names).
4 intr. (foll. by of) be informed about.
5 tr. (foll. by that, how, etc. + clause) become aware of by information or from observation.
6 intr. receive instruction; acquire knowledge or skill.
7 tr. archaic or sl. teach.
1 tr. gain knowledge of or skill in by study, experience, or being taught.
2 tr. (foll. by to + infin.) acquire or develop a particular ability (learn to swim).
3 tr. commit to memory (will try to learn your names).
4 intr. (foll. by of) be informed about.
5 tr. (foll. by that, how, etc. + clause) become aware of by information or from observation.
6 intr. receive instruction; acquire knowledge or skill.
7 tr. archaic or sl. teach.
Idiom
learn one's lesson see LESSON.
Derivative
learnable adj. learnability n.
Etymology
OE leornian f. Gmc: cf. LORE(1)
THESAURUS
learn
absorb, appreciate, apprehend, ascertain, assimilate, attend classes, attend school, awaken to, be informed, be with one, become acquainted with, become alive to, become aware of, become conscious of, broaden the mind, catch, catch on, chance upon, come to know, commit to memory, comprehend, conceive, cram the mind, determine, dig, digest, discover, fathom, find, find out, find out about, follow, gain knowledge, gather, get, get hep to, get hold of, get it, get next to, get the drift, get the idea, get the picture, get wise to, go into training, go to school, grasp, have, have it reported, have it taped, hear of, hit upon, ken, know, learn about, learn by heart, load the mind, master, memorize, pick up information, read, read with, realize, receive instruction, savvy, see the light, seize, seize the meaning, sense, serve an apprenticeship, take, take in, take lessons, train, twig, uncover, undergo schooling, understandROGET THESAURUS
learn
Habit
VB be wont, fall into a rut, fall into a custom, tread the beaten track, follow the beaten track, tread the beaten path, follow the beaten, stare super antiquas vias, move in a rut, run on in a groove, go round like a horse in a mill, go on in the old jog trot way, habituate, inure, harden, season, caseharden, accustom, familiarize, naturalize, acclimatize, keep one's hand in, train, get into the way, get into the knack of, learn, cling to, adhere to, repeat, acquire a habit, contract a habit, fall into a habit, acquire a trick, contract a trick, fall into a trick, addict oneself to, take to, get into, be habitual, prevail, come into use, become a habit, take root, gain upon one, grow upon one.Discovery
VB discover, find, determine, evolve, learn, fix upon, pick up, find out, trace out, make out, hunt out, fish out, worm out, ferret out, root out, fathom, bring out, draw out, educe, elicit, bring to light, dig out, grub up, fish up, unearth, disinter, solve, resolve, elucidate, unriddle, unravel, unlock, crack, crack open, pick up, open the lock, find a clue, find clew a to, find the key to the riddle, interpret, disclose, trace, get at, hit it, have it, lay one's finger, lay one's hands upon, spot, get at the truth, arrive at the truth, put the saddle on the right horse, hit the right nail on the head, be near the truth, be warm, get warmer, burn, smoke, scent, sniff, catch a whiff of, smell a rat, open the eyes to, see through, see daylight, see in its true colors, see the cloven foot, detect, catch, catch tripping, pitch upon, fall upon, light upon, hit upon, stumble upon, pop upon, come across, come onto, meet with, meet up with, fall in with, recognize, realize, verify, make certain of, identify, Int, eureka!, aha!, I've got it!.Information
VB tell, inform, inform of, acquaint, acquaint with, impart, impart to, make acquaintance with, apprise, advise, enlighten, awaken, transmit, let fall, mention, express, intimate, represent, communicate, make known, publish, notify, signify, specify, convey the knowledge of, let one know, have one to know, give one to understand, give notice, set before, lay before, put before, point out, put into one's head, put one in possession of, instruct, direct the attention to, announce, annunciate, report, report progress, bringword, send word, leave word, write word, telegraph, telephone, wire, retail, render an account, give an account, state, let slip, blurt out, spill the beans, unburden oneself of, let off one's chest, disclose, show cause, explain, hint, given an inkling of, give a hint, drop a hint, throw out a hint, insinuate, allude to, make allusion to, glance at, tip the wink, suggest, prompt, give the cue, breathe, whisper, whisper in the ear, give a bit of one's mind, tell one plainly, tell once for all, speak volumes, undeceive, unbeguile, set right, correct, open the eyes of, disabuse, disillusion one of, be informed of, know, learn, get scent of, get wind of, gather from, awaken to, open one's eyes to, become alive, become awake to, hear, overhear, understand, come to one's ears, come to one's knowledge, reach one's ears.Learning
VB learn, acquire knowledge, gain knowledge, receive knowledge, take in knowledge, drink in knowledge, imbibe knowledge, pick up knowledge, gather knowledge, get knowledge, obtain knowledge, collect knowledge, glean knowledge, glean information, glean learning, acquaint oneself with, master, make oneself master of, make oneself acquainted with, grind, cram, get up, coach up, learn by heart, learn by rote, read, spell, peruse, con over, pore over, thumb over, wade through, dip into, run the eye over, run the eye through, turn over the leaves, study, be studious, burn the midnight oil, consume the midnight oil, mind one's book, cram, go to school, go to college, go to the university, matriculate, serve an apprenticeship, serve one's apprenticeship, serve one's time, learn one's trade, be informed, be taught, drop out, leave school, quit school, graduate, transfer, take a leave, dismiss, expel, kick out of school, flunk out, be dismissed.Learner
VB learn, practise.For further exploring for "learn" in Webster Dictionary Online
