learn

5 definitions • 19 examples

to get new knowledge or skill in a subject or activity:

They learn Russian at school.

"Can you drive?" "I'm learning."

learn about I've learned a lot about computers since I started work here.

[ + to infinitive ] I'm learning to play the piano.

[ + question word + to infinitive ] First you'll learn (how) to use this machine.

to make yourself remember a piece of writing by reading it or repeating it many times:

I don't know how actors manage to learn all those lines.

learn something by heart We were told to learn Portia's speech by heart (= be able to say it from memory) for homework.

to start to understand that you must change the way you behave:

She'll have to learn that she can't have everything she wants.

learn to She soon learned not to contradict him.

learn from your mistakes He's not afraid to learn from his mistakes.

to be told facts or information that you did not know:

learn of We were all shocked to learn of his death.

[ + (that) ] I later learned (that) the message had never arrived.

learn about I only learned about the accident later.

to get knowledge or understanding of facts or ideas or of how to do things:

[ T ] We’re learning algebra.

[ I ] He’s not much of a cook, but he’s learning.

[ I ] Parents learned of the budget cuts in a letter from the school superintendent.

[ I ] I hope you’ll learn from your mistakes .

[ + to infinitive ] I learned to drive when I was 16.

[ + question word ] First you must learn how to use this computer.