learn
/lɜːrn/
verb
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*liznōjaną — to learn, to follow a track
Overview
Meaning Now
- To gain knowledge or skill in something by study, experience, or being taught.
- To become aware of something by information or from observation.
Literal older meaning
to track, to follow a footprint
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
leornian
Earliest period
Old English
Journey
The word is etymologically related to 'lore' and 'last' (as in footprint). The root suggests that learning was originally understood as following a path or track left by another, reinforcing the idea of 'following' someone's wisdom.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*leis-
“track, furrow”
Original sense relating to tracking game or traveling.
- Proto-Germanic
*liznōjaną
“to follow a track, to acquire knowledge”
- Old English
leornian
“to study, to learn”
- Middle English
lernen
“to gain knowledge, to teach”
In Middle English, it was often used to mean both learn and teach.
Connections
Word parts
learn
root
acquire knowledge
Related across languages
German
lernen
to learn
Dutch
leren
to learn, to teach
Explore next
Related to learn
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.