- knowledge acquired by systematic study in any field of scholarly application.
- the act or process of acquiring knowledge or skill.
- Psychology. the modification of behavior through practice, training, or experience.
Origin of learning
Synonyms for learningSee more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com
- to acquire knowledge of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience: to learn French; to learn to ski.
- to become informed of or acquainted with; ascertain: to learn the truth.
- to memorize: He learned the poem so he could recite it at the dinner.
- to gain (a habit, mannerism, etc.) by experience, exposure to example, or the like; acquire: She learned patience from her father.
- (of a device or machine, especially a computer) to perform an analogue of human learning with artificial intelligence.
- Nonstandard. to instruct in; teach.
- to acquire knowledge or skill: to learn rapidly.
- to become informed (usually followed by of): to learn of an accident.
Origin of learn
Related Words for learninginformation, training, literature, science, study, schooling, research, culture, wisdom, lore, tuition, erudition, scholarship, letters
Examples from the Web for learning
Contemporary Examples of learning
What is most troubling is our – and I do mean “our” and not “their” – never treating these situations as learning opportunities.In 2015, Let’s Try for More Compassion
January 4, 2015
In the absence of typical classrooms and curriculums, West Africans have opted for alternate methods of learning and education.The Radio Battle to Educate Ebola’s Kids
December 11, 2014
These tests prod and poke the children, creating lots of anxiety and taking away from the joy of learning.Hunger Games Comes to New York State’s Public Schools
November 26, 2014
He is honest about his religious doubts, but he is committed to learning more about God.The Good Wife’s Religion Politics: Voters Have No Faith in Alicia's Atheism
November 24, 2014
And Glenn, Tara, and Rosita spend the episode, um, learning to fish.The Walking Dead’s ‘Crossed’: The Stage Is Now Set for a Bloody, Deadly Midseason Finale
November 24, 2014
Historical Examples of learning
The learning to take it manfully is what as individuals we get out of it.The Conquest of Fear
As to "earning her living," I am not sure but she was learning to do it in several ways.Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Methinks, Alleyne, it is this learning which you have taught her that has taken all the life and sap from her.
So, too, did the Greeks, and divers other ancient peoples who were famed for their learning.
Already she was learning that peace of mind is essential to successful endeavor.K
Mary Roberts Rinehart
- knowledge gained by study; instruction or scholarship
- the act of gaining knowledge
- psychol any relatively permanent change in behaviour that occurs as a direct result of experience
- (when tr, may take a clause as object) to gain knowledge of (something) or acquire skill in (some art or practice)
- (tr) to commit to memory
- (tr) to gain by experience, example, etc
- (intr; often foll by of or about) to become informed; know
- not standard to teach
Word Origin for learn
Old English leornung "learning, study," from leornian (see learn). Learning curve attested by 1907.
Old English leornian "to get knowledge, be cultivated, study, read, think about," from Proto-Germanic *liznojan (cf. Old Frisian lernia, Middle Dutch leeren, Dutch leren, Old High German lernen, German lernen "to learn," Gothic lais "I know"), with a base sense of "to follow or find the track," from PIE *leis- "track." Related to German Gleis "track," and to Old English læst "sole of the foot" (see last (n.)).
The transitive sense (He learned me how to read), now vulgar, was acceptable from c.1200 until early 19c., from Old English læran "to teach" (cf. Dutch leren, German lehren "to teach," literally "to make known;" see lore), and is preserved in past participle adjective learned "having knowledge gained by study." Related: Learning.
- The act, process, or experience of gaining knowledge or skill.
- Knowledge or skill gained through schooling or study.
- Behavioral modification, especially through experience or conditioning.
In addition to the idioms beginning with learn
- learn by heart
- learn one's lesson
- learn to live with
- by heart, learn
- little knowledge (learning) is a dangerous thing
- live and learn