exploratory

[ ik-splawr-uh-tawr-ee, -splohr-uh-tohr-ee or ik-splawr-uh-tiv, -splohr- ]

/ ɪkˈsplɔr əˌtɔr i, -ˈsploʊr əˌtoʊr i or ɪkˈsplɔr ə tɪv, -ˈsploʊr- /

pertaining to or concerned with exploration: an exploratory operation.

inclined to make explorations.

Nearby words

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Latin word explōrātōrius. See exploration, -ory¹

ex·plor·a·tive·ly, adverbnon·ex·plor·a·tive, adjectivenon·ex·plor·a·to·ry, adjectiveun·ex·plor·a·tive, adjective

un·ex·plor·a·to·ry, adjective

Unlike former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Huckabee is not immediately forming an exploratory committee.
Can Huckabee Convert the GOP’s Moneymen?|Lloyd Green|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Rand Paul announced he would form an exploratory committee for a Senate campaign at just the right time, in May 2009.
Rand Paul’s Daddy Issues|Olivia Nuzzi|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gorgeous gave them an opportunity to take on a serious subject in a fun, exploratory way, McGill says.
Hello, ‘Gorgeous’: Grit and Glamour In San Francisco|Emily Wilson|June 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is not an efficient way to write, but I love that exploratory phase, when even bad writing somehow seems promising.
Scott Turow: How I Write|Noah Charney|October 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST

In February, he formed an exploratory committee for his congressional bid.
Sean Eldridge, Husband of Facebook Mogul Chris Hughes, Running For Congress|Ben Jacobs|September 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"She's worth anything," he said simply, and she liked him for the speech, but stuck to her exploratory purpose.
Abington Abbey|Archibald Marshall
As near as can be determined, it was spread by the crew of an exploratory rocket after the discovery of a new asteroid.
This World Must Die!|Horace Brown Fyfe
The new response is exploratory and tentative, while habit is fixed and definite.
Psychology|Robert S. Woodworth
These were both western men, animated with the spirit of exploratory enterprise which characterizes that people.
The Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, Oregon and California|Brevet Col. J.C. Fremont
The Frenchman was already moving into a combat stance, a slight crouch, an exploratory circling of the tip of his sword.
The Saracen: The Holy War|Robert Shea