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Synonyms

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.


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

"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.

Their research combines caffeine with CRISPR, a powerful gene editing tool known as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, to explore new ways to treat chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

From Science Daily

Equally, while Requiem will see the carefully coiffed Leon return to old haunts such as Racoon City's police department from the second game, he and Grace will still explore plenty of new locations too.

From BBC

Collecting art, like clothes, is her way of exploring the diaspora.

From Los Angeles Times

The researchers believe the next step is to explore whether future obesity treatments could safely increase energy expenditure without requiring major lifestyle changes from patients.

From Science Daily

But all of them have explored alternative photoresist chemicals that will compete to be the one semiconductor companies settle on.

From The Wall Street Journal