explore

American  

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

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.

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verb (used without object)

explored, exploring

1. to engage in exploration.

explore British  

/ 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

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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

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.

Example Sentences

In a recent study, Purusharth I. Rajyaguru and colleagues used Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a type of yeast commonly used in research, to explore how life might respond to Mars-like stress.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

Spanish government sources said a primary goal of the trip is particularly to secure greater market access for agricultural and industrial goods, and to explore joint ventures in the technology sector.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

I could throw on my Discover Weekly or a Daily Mix and find enough songs to fuel my creativity and bookmark a few to later explore the artist’s discography.

From Slate • Apr. 12, 2026

But there are also questions about whether astronauts really need to explore the Moon when orbiters, rovers and landers can do the job.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

“But certainly, there are treatments to explore if Emma would like to.”

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish

Related Words

• analyze
• delve into
• examine
• probe
• research
• scrutinize
• search
• seek
• test
• try