exploratory
Americanadjective
-
pertaining to or concerned with exploration.
an exploratory operation.
-
inclined to make explorations.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of exploratory
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Latin word explōrātōrius. See exploration, -ory 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sharks will often use defensive or "exploratory" bites when presented by an unwelcome human in their personal space, he adds.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
BBC Sport understands that talks are at an exploratory stage at the moment but sources suggest a deal for the 23-year-old is possible.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
The other big potential customer is Apple, which was reported by Bloomberg last month to be holding exploratory discussions with Intel over chip manufacturing.
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026
Regardless of the genre in the mix at any given moment, “Somewhere Good” is consistently playful and exploratory, a ramshackle record where everything seems to land in the right place.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026
Dr. Bagshawe recommended that Dr. Musoke have exploratory surgery.
From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
