Synonyms

explore

American

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

verb (used with object)

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)

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

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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

Explanation

Explore is a verb that means "to travel in or through." You might explore an island, a European city, or the rooms of an unfamiliar house. The Latin root of explore is explorare, meaning "investigate or search out." When you explore a new place, you want to see interesting things and get to know its people. Whenever you delve into something, or investigate it, you explore it. You can even explore an interest, like when you explore African art, or explore an idea or tendency in order to understand it — you can explore your fear of snakes to try to get over it.

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Vocabulary lists containing explore

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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.

Watch the video above to explore how the myth of the American cowboy became a global obsession, from the ranches of Oklahoma to a Tokyo honky-tonk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 4, 2026

Then, they explore how the World Cup fits into our very American media landscape.

From Slate • Jul. 4, 2026

To explore the problem, the researchers relied on machine learning simulations that reproduce quantum mechanical accuracy while allowing them to study a much broader range of conditions than traditional computational methods.

From Science Daily • Jul. 2, 2026

I also teach “In Cold Blood,” using it to explore Americans’ fascination with true crime and what the genre reveals about race, gender, class and the justice system.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

And even if that unknown is scary or dangerous, don’t I, as an explorer, still have to explore it, especially if it’s a matter of life and death?

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

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