What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unlearning
Example
I had to unlearn some bad habits before I could improve my tennis game. [unlearn: verb]
Example
Unlearning old ways of thinking can be difficult but necessary for personal growth. [unlearning: gerund or present participle]
relearning
Example
After taking a break from playing the piano, I had to relearn some of the songs. [relearn: verb]
Example
Relearning math concepts helped me to better understand the subject. [relearning: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Relearning is more commonly used than unlearning in everyday language. Relearning is often used in the context of refreshing one's knowledge or skills, while unlearning is a less common term that is more often used in academic or personal growth contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between unlearning and relearning?
Both unlearning and relearning are neutral terms that can be used in formal or informal contexts.