learn new words

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "learn new words" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts related to language acquisition, education, or vocabulary building. For example, "I want to learn new words to improve my writing skills." Alternative expressions include "acquire new vocabulary" and "expand my lexicon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Luckily, one can train the software to learn new words.

The New York Times

This game is an interesting way to learn new words.

Stanford University

Some commissioners do not agree: "This application assumes the public cannot learn new words," said one.

The Economist

And it forces you to learn new words, to think new thoughts, to keep going.

The New York Times

They use very simple English, are reluctant to learn new words.

The New Yorker

And it forces you to learn new words, to think new thoughts, to keep going.

The Guardian - Books

German researchers say his ability is similar to the way children listen and learn new words.

The New York Times

In another language, you don't just learn new words, or sounds, but new notions.

The Guardian - Opinion

These apps can help you quickly look up a word's meaning and usage or learn new words.

The New York Times

Children use non-verbal cues to learn new words from robots as well as people.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

She helped children learn new words to name Norman's emotions and share them on a huge "feelings wall".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal essays, you can elevate the tone by replacing it with "acquire new vocabulary" or "expand one's lexicon".

Common error

Avoid using "learn new words" when you strictly mean rote memorization without understanding. True learning implies the ability to use the word correctly in context. If you only mean storing a list, consider using "memorize vocabulary" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "learn new words" functions primarily as a verb phrase composed of the transitive verb 'learn' and the direct object 'new words'. In many of the examples provided by Ludwig, it appears in its infinitive form ('to learn') to express purpose or intent, or as a base form following modal verbs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

35%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "learn new words" is a foundational and highly versatile phrase in the English language. As demonstrated by the extensive data from Ludwig, it is a standard and correct expression used across a wide variety of domains, from academic research on child development at MIT to practical self-help guides on WikiHow. While it is perfectly suitable for most contexts, writers should be aware of more formal synonyms like "acquire new vocabulary" for scholarly work. The phrase consistently appears in discussions regarding cognitive agility, language mastery and the simple pleasure of expanding one's horizons through reading and interaction. Whether you are a student, a professional or a lifelong learner, using "learn new words" remains a clear and effective way to describe the ongoing journey of linguistic expansion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire new vocabulary

Uses more formal terminology common in academic and linguistic contexts.

build vocabulary

Emphasizes the cumulative and constructive nature of language learning.

learn novel words

Uses 'novel' to specify words that are entirely new or unfamiliar to the learner.

enrich my vocabulary

Highlights the improvement in quality and variety of one's language skills.

learn new phrases

Broadens the scope from individual words to multi-word units of meaning.

pick up new words

Suggests a more casual or incidental way of learning through exposure.

expand my lexicon

A more sophisticated and literary way to describe broadening one's range of words.

master new terms

Focuses on achieving a high level of proficiency with specific or technical words.

absorb new language

Implies a natural, almost subconscious process of taking in new linguistic information.

study new terminology

Indicates a more deliberate and structured effort, often in a technical field.

FAQs

How to use "learn new words" in a sentence?

You can use it as a standard infinitive or gerund phrase. For example, "I read the dictionary every day to "learn new words"" or "learning new words is a rewarding hobby."

What can I say instead of "learn new words"?

Depending on your context, you can use phrases like "expand your vocabulary", "build vocabulary", or "acquire new words".

Which is more formal, "learn new words" or "acquire vocabulary"?

While "learn new words" is perfectly acceptable in most writing, "acquire vocabulary" is considered more formal and is frequently used in scientific and academic literature.

Is it "learn new words" or "learn new vocabularies"?

The phrase ""learn new words"" is generally preferred. 'Vocabulary' is often treated as an uncountable mass noun representing a set of words, so 'vocabularies' usually refers to sets of words from different languages or fields.