Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

unlearn

/ʌnˈlɝn/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.45 in modern English

Syllables: un-learn
IPA: /ʌnˈlɝn/

7

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To discard the knowledge of.

Transitive verb

verb

To break a habit.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"It was another lesson from Fort Hare that I had to unlearn in Johannesburg."
"It is a language that, once learnt, I have been unable to unlearn."

Etymology

From Middle English unlernen. By surface analysis, un- + learn.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: unlernen

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ʌnˈlɝn/
British English: /ʌnˈləːn/

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

unlearns (present, singular) unlearning (participle, present) unlearned (participle, past) unlearned (past) unlearnt (participle, past) unlearnt (past)

Derived Forms

unlearnable unlearner

Frequently Paired Words

deprogramming

Rhymes With

turn return learn left turn concern burn to burn earn stern fern urn discern

Questions

How do you pronounce unlearn?: The recorded pronunciation is /ʌnˈlɝn/.
What does unlearn mean?: To discard the knowledge of.
Where does unlearn come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce unlearn

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “unlearn”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ʌnˈlɝn/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “unlearn”.
Repeat and practice — Say “unlearn” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.