explore

[ik-splawr, -splohr]

verb (used with object)

explored, exploring 

1. to traverse or range over (a region, area, etc.) for the purpose of discovery.

   to explore the island.

2. to look into closely; scrutinize; examine.

   Let us explore the possibilities for improvement.

   Synonyms: survey, investigate, research, study, probe

3. Surgery.,  to investigate into, especially mechanically, as with a probe.

4. Obsolete.,  to search for; search out.

verb (used without object)

explored, exploring 

1. to engage in exploration.

explore

/ ɪkˈsplɔː /

verb

1. (tr) to examine or investigate, esp systematically

2. to travel to or into (unfamiliar or unknown regions), esp for organized scientific purposes

3. (tr) med to examine (an organ or part) for diagnostic purposes

4. obsolete,  (tr) to search for or out

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of explore¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of explore¹

C16: from Latin explōrāre, from _ex- ¹ + plōrāre to cry aloud; probably from the shouts of hunters sighting prey

Example Sentences

A spokesperson for Sir Sadiq Khan said he was taking "hard decisions" including "exploring development on the green belt" and said he had been backed with "a record £11.7bn government investment".

Read more on BBC

The channel, which was only announced on Thursday, was touted by the broadcaster as an "inclusive, dedicated platform for women to enjoy and explore content from all sports, while amplifying female voices and perspectives."

Read more on BBC

To explore this possibility, the UNIGE-led team examined whether dark matter sinks into gravitational wells the way ordinary matter does on cosmic scales.

Read more on Science Daily

The team is now recruiting people who smoke cigarettes and people who vape nicotine for a follow-up project that will explore whether similar brain changes appear in the absence of cannabis.

Read more on Science Daily

An estate Beall has reserved in Scotland comes with private chefs, horses to explore the countryside and a helicopter to visit towns for the day.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• analyze 
• delve into www.thesaurus.com
• examine 
• probe 
• research 
• scrutinize 
• search 
• seek 
• test 
• try