learn
verb
lɜːn 
lɜːrn lɜːnt lɜːrnt 
1 [transitive, intransitive] to gain knowledge or skill by studying, from experience, from being taught, etclearn something to learn a language/a musical instrument/a skilllearn something from somebody/something I learned a lot from my father.learn something from doing something You can learn a great deal just from watching other players.learn (about something) She's very keen to learn about Japanese culture.The book is about how children learn.learn to do something He's learning to dance.learn how, what, etc… He's still learning how to dance.Today we learnt how to use the new software.2 [intransitive, transitive] to become aware of something by hearing about it from somebody elseSynonym
discoverlearn of/about something I learnt of her arrival from a close friend.learn (that)… We were very surprised to learn (that) she had got married again.learn who, what, etc… We only learned who the new teacher was a few days ago.learn something How did they react when they learned the news?it is learned that… It has been learned that 500 jobs are to be lost at the factory.3 [transitive] learn something to study and repeat something in order to be able to remember itSynonym
memorizeWe have to learn one of Hamlet's speeches for school tomorrow.4 [intransitive, transitive] to gradually change your attitudes about something so that you behave in a different waylearn (from something) I'm sure she'll learn from her mistakes.learn (that)… He'll just have to learn (that) he can't always have his own way.learn to do something I soon learned not to ask too many questions.Idioms
learn (something) the hard way
to find out how to behave by learning from your mistakes or from unpleasant experiences, rather than from being told
learn your lesson
to learn what to do or not to do in the future because you have had a bad experience in the past
Usage note: LearninglearnHe’s learning Spanish/to swim.studyShe studied chemistry for three years.revise (British English) (North American English review) In this class we’ll revise/review what we did last week.practise (British English) (North American English practice) If you practise speaking English, you’ll soon improve.rehearseWe only had two weeks to rehearse the play.