American Dictionary
Definition learn in American English
learn
verb
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.
These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
verb
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
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 program 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:
✗ You can just sit in front of your television and learn the culture of other countries.
✓ 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):
✗ Getting a degree in architecture involves learning higher mathematics.
✓ Getting a degree in architecture involves studying higher mathematics.
Learn is never used to mean the same as teach:
✗ College learns you how to think and judge with your own mind.
✓ College teaches you how to think and judge with your own mind.
to gain knowledge or experience of something, for example by being taught
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
You have to learn to be more patient.
to gain new information about a situation, event, or person
We were distressed to learn that American troops were the targets of the attack.
His girlfriend's left him again. Some people never learn, do they?
