learn */*/*/

UK [lɜː(r)n] / US [lɜrn] verb
Word forms "learn":
present tense I/you/we/they learn he/she/it learns present participle learning past tense learnt UK [lɜː(r)nt] / US [lɜrnt] or learned past participle learnt or learned

Get it right: learn:

Use learn with a direct object when you are talking about gaining knowledge or experience of a particular skill, especially when someone is teaching you or training you. The most frequent objects are skill, technique, craft, language, and the names of languages (such as English or Chinese): The course provides an opportunity to learn new skills. Ireland is a popular destination for those interested in learning English. Use learn about when you are talking about gaining more knowledge of a broad area or subject:
Wrong: You can just sit in front of your television and learn the culture of other countries.
Right: You can just sit in front of your television and learn about the culture of other countries. Don't confuse learn, study, and teach. When the process of learning implies attending classes or doing research in order to gain an understanding of an academic subject, the verb to use is study (not learn):
Wrong: Getting a degree in architecture involves learning higher mathematics.
Right: Getting a degree in architecture involves studying higher mathematics.
Learn is never used to mean the same as teach:
Wrong: University learns you how to think and judge with your own mind.
Right: University teaches you how to think and judge with your own mind.

1) [intransitive/transitive] to gain knowledge or experience of something, for example by being taught

a bright girl who is already learning the alphabet

What did you learn at school today?

research into how children learn

We're learning fractions in maths this week.

a) [intransitive/transitive] to gain knowledge or a skill that makes it possible for you to do something

I'm learning a lot of new computer skills in this job.

learn to do something:

The children are learning to swim this summer.

learn how to do something:

I want to learn how to dive.

b) [transitive] to study something so that you remember it exactly

Your homework is to learn the periodic table.

learn something by heart (= exactly):

It didn't take her long to learn her lines by heart.

learn something by rote (= without thinking about or understanding it):

facts learned by rote

c) [intransitive/transitive] to get the experience or knowledge that you need to behave or think in a particular way

stereotypes that are learned at an early age

Children mainly learn by copying adults.

learn (how) to do something:

You have to learn to be more patient.

2) [intransitive/transitive] to gain new information about a situation, event, or person

She'll go to great lengths to keep you from learning her secrets.

learn about/of:

We didn't learn about the situation until it was too late.

learn (that):

We were distressed to learn that American troops were the targets of the attack.

3) [intransitive/transitive] to improve your behaviour as a result of gaining greater experience or knowledge of something

His girlfriend's left him again. Some people never learn, do they?

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- learn your lesson