Synonyms

explore

American

[ik-splawr, -splohr] / ɪkˈsplɔr, -ˈsploʊr /

verb (used with object)

to traverse or range over (a region, area, etc.) for the purpose of discovery.

to explore the island.
to look into closely; scrutinize; examine.

Let us explore the possibilities for improvement.

Synonyms:

survey, investigate, research, study, probe
Surgery. to investigate into, especially mechanically, as with a probe.
Obsolete. to search for; search out.

verb (used without object)

to engage in exploration.

explore British

/ ɪkˈsplɔː /

verb

(tr) to examine or investigate, esp systematically
to travel to or into (unfamiliar or unknown regions), esp for organized scientific purposes
(tr) med to examine (an organ or part) for diagnostic purposes
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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of explore

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

Explanation

Explore is a verb that means "to travel in or through." You might explore an island, a European city, or the rooms of an unfamiliar house. The Latin root of explore is explorare, meaning "investigate or search out." When you explore a new place, you want to see interesting things and get to know its people. Whenever you delve into something, or investigate it, you explore it. You can even explore an interest, like when you explore African art, or explore an idea or tendency in order to understand it — you can explore your fear of snakes to try to get over it.

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Vocabulary lists containing explore

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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.

Musa had fled Sudan and arrived in Glasgow before being referred to The King's Trust Explore programme.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

Explore by meeting colleagues who work in other areas by working on cross-departmental projects, joining employee resource groups or simply striking up conversations in the office kitchen.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026

“But Georgi kept wanting to get underneath it, to excavate it. Explore the fire, explore the trauma. She came in and said, ‘This show is about identity.’

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2026

Explore property-tax relief for seniors, offered through a myriad of programs at the state and local levels.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 18, 2025

Explore vocabulary that may help you to work between the two disciplines.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023