Advertisement

View synonyms for explore

explore

[ ik-splawr, -splohr ]

verb (used with object)

, ex·plored, ex·plor·ing.
  1. to traverse or range over (a region, area, etc.) for the purpose of discovery:

    to explore the island.

  2. to look into closely; scrutinize; examine:

    Let us explore the possibilities for improvement.

    Synonyms: survey, investigate, research, study, probe

  3. Surgery. to investigate into, especially mechanically, as with a probe.
  4. Obsolete. to search for; search out.


verb (used without object)

, ex·plored, ex·plor·ing.
  1. to engage in exploration.

explore

/ ɪkˈsplɔː /

verb

  1. tr to examine or investigate, esp systematically
  2. to travel to or into (unfamiliar or unknown regions), esp for organized scientific purposes
  3. tr med to examine (an organ or part) for diagnostic purposes
  4. obsolete.
    tr to search for or out
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • exˈplorer, noun
Discover More

Other Words From

  • ex·plora·ble adjective
  • ex·plora·bili·ty noun
  • ex·ploring·ly adverb
  • reex·plore verb reexplored reexploring
  • unex·plora·ble adjective
  • unex·plored adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of explore1

First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin explōrāre “to search out, examine,” equivalent to ex- ex- 1( def ) + plōrāre “to cry out,” probably originally with reference to hunting cries
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of explore1

C16: from Latin explōrāre, from ex- 1+ plōrāre to cry aloud; probably from the shouts of hunters sighting prey
Discover More

Example Sentences

Part thriller, part true crime investigation, the nonfiction book uses one of the most heinous unsolved crimes of the Troubles — the 1972 disappearance of Jean McConville, a widowed mother of 10 who was abducted from her Belfast home by intruders assumed to be members of the Irish Republican Army — to explore the lingering trauma of political violence on survivors and perpetrators alike.

“Finding great products at very low prices is important to customers, and we continue to explore ways that we can work with our selling partners so they can offer products at ultra-low prices,” said Dharmesh Mehta, Amazon's vice president of worldwide selling partner services.

From BBC

Kat Watkins said disabled people have a right to explore their sexual identity and develop relationships just like anybody else.

From BBC

We’re excited to explore new opportunities outside these four walls while continuing to build our classic dishes and bring some exciting new ones to our loyal clientele base.

From Salon

“All year we have celebrated fiction that inhabits ideas rather than declaiming on issues, not finding answers but changing the question of what we wanted to explore. Our unanimity about Orbital recognises its beauty and ambition. It reflects Harvey’s extraordinary intensity of attention to the precious and precarious world we share.”

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


exploratoryexplorer