Learn
/lɜːrn/noun
To acquire knowledge or skill through study, experience, or being taught.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a Proto-Germanic root meaning “to follow a track” or “to find out,” which is why learning was once imagined as a kind of guided pursuit, not just memorizing facts.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leis-
“to track, follow, or find out by tracing a path”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*laisjaną
“to cause to know, teach”
Old English
OE
leornian
“to learn, study, acquire knowledge”
Middle English
ME
lernen
“to learn, be taught”
Modern English
English
learn
“to acquire knowledge or skill”