2 VERB If you learn of something, you find out about it. □ [V + of ] It was only after his death that she learned of his affair with Betty. □ [V that] Later I learnt that the house was to be sold. □ [V wh] …the Admiral, who, on learning who I was, wanted to meet me.
3 VERB If people learn to behave or react in a particular way, they gradually start to behave in that way as a result of a change in attitudes. □ [V to-inf] You have to learn to face your problem. □ [V wh-to-inf] We are learning how to confront death instead of avoiding its reality.
4 VERB If you learn from an unpleasant experience, you change the way you behave so that it does not happen again or so that, if it happens again, you can deal with it better. □ [V + from ] I am convinced that he has learned from his mistakes. □ [V n + from ] The company failed to learn any lessons from this experience.
5 VERB If you learn something such as a poem or a role in a play, you study or repeat the words so that you can remember them. □ [V n] He learned this song as an inmate at a Texas prison.
6 → see also learned , learning
7 to learn the ropes → see rope
learn|ed /lɜː r n I d/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A learned person has gained a lot of knowledge by studying. □ He is a serious scholar, a genuinely learned man.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Learned books or papers have been written by someone who has gained a lot of knowledge by studying. □ This learned book should start a real debate on Western policy towards the Baltics.
3 → see also learn
learn|er /lɜː r nə r / (learners ) N‑COUNT A learner is someone who is learning about a particular subject or how to do something. □ …a new aid for younger children or slow learners.
learn|ing /lɜː r n I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Learning is the process of gaining knowledge through studying. □ The brochure described the library as the focal point of learning on the campus.
2 → see also learn , seat of learning
lea rn|ing curve (learning curves ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A learning curve is a process where people develop a skill by learning from their mistakes. A steep learning curve involves learning very quickly. □ Both he and the crew are on a steep learning curve.
lea rn|ing dif|fi|cul|ty (learning difficulties ) N‑COUNT If someone has a learning difficulty , they have a condition that makes it difficult for them to learn as quickly or in the same way as most other people. □ The method helps people with coordination problems and learning difficulties, such as dyslexia.
learnt /lɜː r nt/ Learnt is a past tense and past participle of learn . [BRIT ]
lease ◆◇◇ /liː s/ (leases , leasing , leased )
1 N‑COUNT A lease is a legal agreement by which the owner of a building, a piece of land, or something such as a car allows someone else to use it for a period of time in return for money. □ [+ on ] He took up a 10 year lease on the house at Rossie Priory.
2 VERB If you lease property or something such as a car from someone or if they lease it to you, they allow you to use it in return for regular payments of money. □ [V n] He went to Toronto, where he leased an apartment. □ [V n + to ] She hopes to lease the building to students. □ [V n n] He will need more grazing land and perhaps La Prade could lease him a few acres.
3 PHRASE If you say that someone or something has been given a new lease of life , you are emphasizing that they are much more lively or successful than they have been in the past. □ The operation has given me a new lease of life.
lease|hold /liː shoʊld/
1 ADJ If a building or land is described as leasehold , it is allowed to be used in return for payment according to the terms of a lease. [mainly BRIT ] □ I went into a leasehold property at four hundred and fifty pounds rent per year.
2 N‑COUNT If you have the leasehold of a building or piece of land, you have the legal right to use it for a period of time as arranged according to a lease. [mainly BRIT ]
lease|holder /liː shoʊldə r / (leaseholders ) N‑COUNT A leaseholder is a person who is allowed to use a property according to the terms of a lease. [mainly BRIT ]
leash /liː ʃ/ (leashes ) N‑COUNT A dog's leash is a long thin piece of leather or a chain, which you attach to the dog's collar so that you can keep the dog under control. □ All dogs in public places should be on a leash.
least ◆◆◆ /liː st/ Least is often considered to be the superlative form of little .
1 PHRASE You use at least to say that a number or amount is the smallest that is possible or likely and that the actual number or amount may be greater. The forms at the least and at the very least are also used. □ Aim to have at least half a pint of milk each day. □ You should use this mouthwash several times a day – twice at the very least.
2 PHRASE You use at least to say that something is the minimum that is true or possible. The forms at the least and at the very least are also used. □ She could take a nice holiday at least. □ At the least, I needed some sleep. □ His possession of classified documents in his home was, at the very least, a violation of Navy security regulations.