learn · verb /lɜrn/Full view
Nouns: learner, learning
Adjectives: learned, unlearned
Verbs: learn
learn (GET KNOWLEDGE)
A1 I or T to get knowledge or skill in a new subject or activity
Dictionary examples:

They learn Russian at school.

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

I learned a lot about computers since I started work here.

I'm learning to play the piano.

First you'll learn (how) to use this machine.

Learner example:

Sometimes we start some game and after that we learn about some new things. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Hindi)

learn (REMEMBER)
B1 T to make yourself remember a piece of writing by reading it or repeating it many times
Dictionary examples:

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

We were told to learn Portia's speech by heart for homework.

Learner example:

He was a very famous and popular actor. He's very funny and he shows us very useful tricks to [help us] learn our roles. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

learn (BE TOLD INFORMATION)
B1 I or T to be told facts or information that you did not know
Dictionary examples:

Parents learned of the schedule change in a letter from the teacher.

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

I only learned about the accident later.

Learner example:

I was pleased to learn that you are coming to Switzerland. (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)

learn (CHANGE BEHAVIOR)
B2 I or T to start to understand that you must change the way you behave
Dictionary examples:

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

She soon learned not to be late.

He's not afraid to learn from his mistakes.

Learner example:

In team sports you can share your feelings with the others and you learn to become extroverted. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

learn sth the hard way
C2 to learn something by experiencing a lot of problems or difficulty
Dictionary example:

He doesn’t want to take my advice, so I guess he’ll have to learn the hard way.

Learner example:

If you don't know the past, you're liable to live through it again as instead of deriving the lessons from someone else's experiences, you'll have to learn them the hard way, by trial and error. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)

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