adjective
learned
LUR-nihd
adjective
1
Having extensive knowledge, gained through years of study; scholarly.
"The learned professor had published dozens of papers."
"It was a learned and detailed lecture on Roman history."
2
A formal, respectful term used to refer to lawyers or judges in court.
"My learned colleague will now present the evidence."
How to Use Learned
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving a lot of knowledge from study — or, in legal speech, a polite title for lawyers.
When to use it
The legal sense ("my learned friend") is formal courtroom language.
Word Forms
more learned comparative, more learned comparative, Learneds plural, most learned superlative, most learned superlative
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Etymology
Past participle of learn, from Old English lǣran, "to teach."