Synonyms

explore

American

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

verb (used with object)

explored, exploring

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)

explored, exploring

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

explorability noun
explorable adjective
explorer noun
exploringly adverb
reexplore verb
unexplorable adjective
unexplored adjective

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

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.

Blackwell said she has seen cats who have been habituated to harness wearing seemingly very happy to explore mountain ranges, but has also seen clearly unhappy cats being walked on busy streets with heavy traffic.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

When certain family members, including John Robinson, began to explore a potential company sale, Allan in May 2024 filed a breach-of-contract suit in a local Ohio court.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

I’m not sure we should reject the impulse to explore extreme ideas to stop global heating, since the current consensus seems to be doing next to nothing.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

As Joshua Coleman, author of “Rules of Estrangement: Why Adult Children Cut Ties and How to Heal the Conflict,” suggests, it’s important to explore what’s really driving their concerns.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

If there never was a fire pit, the cabin boy knew that to find his treasure, his descendants would need to explore another way of solving the problem.

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein

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