Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

explore

[ik-splawr, -splohr]
See more synonyms for explore on Thesaurus.com
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.
  3. Surgery. to investigate into, especially mechanically, as with a probe.
  4. Obsolete. to search for; search out.
Show More
verb (used without object), ex·plored, ex·plor·ing.
  1. to engage in exploration.
Show More

Origin of explore

1575–85; < Latin explōrāre to search out, examine, equivalent to ex- ex-1 + plōrāre to cry out, probably orig. with reference to hunting cries
Related formsex·plor·a·ble, adjectiveex·plor·a·bil·i·ty, nounex·plor·ing·ly, adverbre·ex·plore, verb, re·ex·plored, re·ex·plor·ing.un·ex·plor·a·ble, adjectiveun·ex·plored, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for explore on Thesaurus.com
2. probe, study, research, investigate, survey.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for explorable

explore

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. (tr) obsolete to search for or out
Show More
Derived Formsexplorer, noun

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for explorable

explore

v.

1580s, "to investigate, examine," a back-formation from exploration, or else from Middle French explorer (16c.), from Latin explorare "investigate, search out, examine, explore," said to be originally a hunters' term meaning "set up a loud cry," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + plorare "to cry."

But second element also explained as "to make to flow," from pluere "to flow." Meaning "to go to a country or place in quest of discoveries" is first attested 1610s. Related: Explored; exploring.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
explorable in Medicine

explore

(ĭk-splôr′)
v.
  1. To examine for diagnostic purposes.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.