English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology 1 edit

From Middle English unlerned (not taught, uneducated), equivalent to un- (not) +‎ learned (educated).

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

unlearned (comparative more unlearned, superlative most unlearned)

  1. ignorant, uneducated, untaught, untrained.
    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:ignorant
    Antonym: learned
    • 1963, “Masters of War” (track 3, side 1), in Bob Dylan (lyrics), (traditional)/Jean Ritchie (music), The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, performed by Bob Dylan:
      How much do I know / To talk out of turn / You might say that I'm young / You might say I'm unlearned / But there's one thing I know / Though I'm younger than you / Even Jesus would never / Forgive what you do
Translations edit

Etymology 2 edit

From un- (not) +‎ learned (studied), past participle of learn.

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

unlearned (comparative more unlearned, superlative most unlearned)

  1. Of a behavior: not learned; innate.
    Synonyms: inborn, inherent; see also Thesaurus:innate
  2. Of information: that has not (yet) been learned; unknown.
    • 1865, Henry Clay Work (lyrics and music), “The Ship That Never Returned”:
      Did she ever return? No, she never returned.
      Her fate is yet unlearned
      Though for years and years there were fond ones watching
      For the ship that never returned.
Translations edit

Etymology 3 edit

From Middle English unlernyd (obliterated from memory, forgotten), equivalent to unlearn +‎ -ed.

Pronunciation edit

Verb edit

unlearned

  1. simple past and past participle of unlearn (discard the knowledge of)