learn
gb/lˈɚn/ us/lˈɚn/
A1
English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A1
action
1
Gain knowledge or skill
To get new knowledge or skills by studying or practicing.
Usage pattern:
to learn [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'learn' with 'study'. 'Study' is the process; 'learn' is the result.
Synonyms
study (Implies deliberate effort to gain knowledge, often academic.)
|
master (Implies full control or high skill level after learning.)
Antonyms
forget (To lose previously acquired knowledge or memory.)
Collocations
learn quickly
|learn a language
|learn from mistakes
|learn new skills
Themes
education
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She wants to learn Spanish before her trip to Mexico.
- I learned how to cook from my grandmother.
- He is learning to play the guitar.
- We learned a lot during the training session.
Learner examples
- I want to learn English.
- She is learning to swim.
- We learn new words every day.
- He learns about animals at school.
Verb
A2
action
2
Find out information
To find out something you did not know before.
Usage pattern:
to learn (that) [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'know' instead of 'learn' when they mean newly discovered information.
Synonyms
discover (Emphasizes coming upon new information unexpectedly.)
|
find out (Informal; often used in everyday speech for discovering facts.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately avoid knowing something.)
Collocations
learn the truth
|learn from the news
|learn about something
Themes
communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I just learned that she is moving to Canada.
- We learned from the report that sales had increased.
- He was shocked to learn the truth about his friend.
Learner examples
- I learned that she is sick.
- We learned about the new rules.
- He learned that the shop is closed.
Verb
B1
action
3
Adapt from experience
To do things better in the future because of what happened before.
Usage pattern:
to learn from [something]
Synonyms
adapt (Focuses on adjusting behavior in response to experience.)
Antonyms
repeat (To make the same mistake again without improvement.)
Collocations
learn from mistakes
|learn through experience
|learn the hard way
Themes
personal development
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She learned from her mistakes and avoided them next time.
- I learned a lot from working with that team.
- They learned the hard way not to ignore safety rules.
Learner examples
- I learn from my mistakes.
- We learn from our teachers.
- She learns from her work every day.
Grammar
Dictionary form
learn
IPA
GB/lˈɚn/
US/lˈɚn/
Syllables & stress
learn (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (learn)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: learn
- 3rd Person Singular: learns
- Present Participle: learning
- Past: learned, learnt
- Past Participle: learned
Word family
Forms
learns
verb
learning
verb
learned
verb
learnt
verb
Core family
learner
noun A2
Related words
learnable
adjective
relearn
verb
Negative and opposite forms
unlearn
verb
Expressions
learn by heart
1/lˈɚn bˈaɪ hˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
Memorize completely
To remember something word for word so you can say it without looking.
Examples
- I had to learn the poem by heart for class.
- She learned all the countries by heart for the quiz.
you live, you learn
1/jˈu lˈɪv | jˈu lˈɚn/
idiom
informal
Gain wisdom from life’s mistakes
People understand more about life after making mistakes or having experiences.
Examples
- I lost money on that deal, but you live, you learn.
- Well, you live, you learn—that’s how it goes.
learn the ropes
1/lˈɚn ðə ɹˈoʊps/
idiom
informal
Become familiar with a task
To understand how to do a job or activity after some practice or experience.
Examples
- It took me a few weeks to learn the ropes at my new job.
- She’s still learning the ropes but improving quickly.
learn the ropes
2/lˈɚn ðə ɹˈoʊps/
idiom
learn basic rules and procedures
To learn and understand the basic rules and steps of a job, activity, or place.
Examples
- It took her a few weeks to learn the ropes in her new job.
- Once you learn the ropes, the software is actually very easy to use.
- He’s still learning the ropes, so try to be patient with him.
live and learn
4/lˈɪv ˈænd lˈɚn/
idiom
gain knowledge from experience or mistakes
Used when you learn something new from an experience, often after making a mistake.
Examples
- I didn’t know you could eat that plant—live and learn!
- I didn’t know that would happen—well, you live and learn.
- Well, live and learn; I never thought he could speak Italian.
- He forgot his passport, but you live and learn.