exploratory
or ex·plor·a·tive
[ 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- /
adjective
pertaining to or concerned with exploration: an exploratory operation.
inclined to make explorations.
RELATED WORDS
prior, preparatory, curious, seeking, preliminary, opening, primary, trial, fundamental, basic, test, pilot, first, readying, penetrating, inquiring, balloon, testing, elemental, elementary
Nearby words
- exploitative,
- exploiter,
- exploits,
- exploration,
- explorationist,
- explore,
- explorer,
- explorer tent,
- explosible,
- explosimeter
Origin of exploratory
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Latin word explōrātōrius. See exploration, -ory1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for exploratory
exploratory
mid-15c., from Latin exploratorius "belonging to scouts," from explorator "scout," from explorare (see explore). Alternative explorative is from 1738.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper