unlearn
unlearn
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling of "unlearn"
IPA: /ʌnˈlɜːn/
Syllable Breakdown:
un: /ʌn/
/ʌ/ - Open front unrounded vowel
/n/ - Alveolar nasal
learn: /ˈlɜːn/
/l/ - Lateral liquid
/ɜː/ - Mid central unrounded vowel (long)
/n/ - Alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
unlearn is already an irregular verb, so there are no plural or singular variations. It does, however, have different verb forms:
Base form: unlearn
Present participle: unlearning
Past tense: unlearned
Past participle: unlearned
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.
Register Now.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA. Register Now.
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
(verb)
Definition: To forget or abandon a previously learned skill, habit, or belief.
Synonyms: forget, abandon, give up, discard
Antonyms: learn, acquire, adopt, retain
(adjective)
Definition: Not learned or familiar with something.
Synonyms: ignorant, unaware, uninformed, unfamiliar
Antonyms: learned, knowledgeable, informed, familiar
Examples of Use
Books
"It was a matter of unlearning old habits and adopting new ones." (From The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg)
Newspapers
"Many people are trying to unlearn the stereotypes associated with certain groups." (From a recent article in The New York Times)
Online Publications
"In the digital age, it's important to unlearn outdated information and stay up-to-date." (From a blog post on a tech website)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
"The character is forced to unlearn their prejudices and learn to accept people for who they are." (From a script for a TV show)
"In this game, players must unlearn their old strategies and develop new ones to succeed." (From a video game review)
General Public Discourse
"It's time to unlearn the toxic behaviors that have been passed down through generations." (From a social media post)
"In order to progress, we must unlearn the outdated systems and structures that hold us back." (From a political speech)
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.
Register Now.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA. Register Now.
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Unlearn
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
— Mahatma Gandhi"I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught."
— Winston Churchill"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."
— Martin Luther King Jr."You cannot open a book without learning something."
— Confucius"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."
— Benjamin Franklin"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning."
— Albert Einstein"We do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience."
— John Dewey"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young."
— Henry Ford"The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing."
— Voltaire"You learn more from failure than from success. Don’t let it stop you. Failure builds character."
— Anonymous
Etymology
The word unlearn is a combination of two parts:
un-: This is a prefix that means "not" or "opposite of."
learn: This is a verb that means "to acquire knowledge or skills."
So, unlearn basically means "to stop knowing something" or "to forget something."
It's a relatively new word, and its first known use was in the 1600s. Back then, it meant "to forget something that you once knew." Over time, its meaning has expanded to include "to stop believing something" or "to change a habit."
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.
Register Now.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA. Register Now.
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Unlearn
Direct Use of "Unlearn"
Unlearn old habits: To break free from negative or outdated behaviors.
Unlearn toxic beliefs: To abandon harmful or untrue ideas.
Unlearn fear: To overcome anxiety or phobias.
Phrases with Synonyms for Similar Effect
Break free from: To escape or detach oneself from something negative.
Let go of: To release or abandon something.
Start with a clean slate: To begin anew, free from past mistakes or experiences.
Why are there fewer phrases with "unlearn"?
Newer Word: As "unlearn" is a relatively new term, it hasn't had as much time to become ingrained in everyday language.
Complexity: The concept of "unlearning" can be complex, requiring a certain level of introspection and self-awareness. This might make it less common in casual conversation.
Original Phrases:
Unlearn the past: To move on from past mistakes or regrets.
Unlearn limitations: To overcome self-imposed boundaries.
Unlearn negativity: To replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
Posts Related to Unlearn
Source Information
Definition of unlearn from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
