lesson

A period of time when someone teaches you something.

• My lesson starts at nine.
• I took driving lessons last summer.
• Did you enjoy your piano lesson?

How to use it: lesson in something (She gave me a lesson in cooking.)

Similar words: class

Common phrases: piano lesson, driving lesson, lesson in something

One part of a course or book that teaches a particular subject.

• Read lesson two before tomorrow.
• This course contains thirty short lessons.
• Have you finished the lesson on verbs?

How to use it: lesson on something (The next lesson is on fractions.)

Similar words: unit

Common phrases: first lesson, next lesson, lesson on something

Something you learn from an experience, especially one that helps you avoid making the same mistake.

• I learned an important lesson today.
• Her mistakes taught her some painful lessons.
• What lesson can we learn from this failure?

How to use it: lesson in something (The defeat was a lesson in patience.)

Common phrases: learn a lesson, valuable lesson, lesson in something