What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
educated
Example
She is an educated woman with a degree in engineering. [educated: adjective]
Example
He is highly educated in the field of medicine. [educated: past participle]
learned
Example
He is a learned scholar with extensive knowledge of ancient history. [learned: adjective]
Example
She has learned a lot from her travels around the world. [learned: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Educated is more common in everyday language than learned. It is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while learned is less common and tends to be used in more formal or academic settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between educated and learned?
Learned is generally considered more formal than educated, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Therefore, learned may be more appropriate in academic or professional settings, while educated may be more suitable for casual conversations or everyday language.