exploratory

American  

[ik-splawr-uh-tawr-ee] / ɪkˈsplɔr əˌtɔr i /

Also explorative

adjective

1. pertaining to or concerned with exploration.

   an exploratory operation.

2. inclined to make explorations.

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Other Word Forms

• exploratively adverb
• nonexplorative adjective
• nonexploratory adjective
• unexplorative adjective
• unexploratory adjective

Etymology

Origin of exploratory

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Latin word explōrātōrius. See exploration, -ory ¹

Example Sentences

At higher temperatures, responses become more varied, less predictable, and more exploratory, allowing the system to move beyond familiar ideas.

From Science Daily

It works just as well for a long weekend as it does for a slow, exploratory week.

From Salon

Petrobas is conducting exploratory drilling to assess the feasibility of the field.

From Barron's

As Coleman notes, "Simultaneous space- and ground-based observations of microlensing events could be applied in the planning of future exploratory missions and could lead to a better understanding of how planets form across the Galaxy."

From Science Daily

To select a discipline, students rotate through programs during an exploratory first semester.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• preparatory
• prior