explore

verb

ex·​plore ik-ˈsplȯr 

explored; exploring

transitive verb

1

a

: to investigate, study, or analyze : look into

Researchers are exploring how language is acquired by children.

explore the relationship between social class and learning ability

—sometimes used with indirect questions

… to explore where ethical issues arise …

—R. T. Blackburn

b

: to become familiar with by testing or experimenting

explore new cuisines

2

: to travel over (new territory) for adventure or discovery

3

: to examine especially for diagnostic purposes

explore the wound

intransitive verb

: to make or conduct a systematic search

explore for oil

Synonyms of explore

• investigate
• examine

Examples of explore in a Sentence

Researchers are exploring how language is acquired by children.

The book explores a number of controversial issues.

You need to explore your feelings on this subject more carefully.

an opportunity to explore different activities

The children were encouraged to explore mathematics.

I decided to go out and explore the town.

They were sent to explore unknown regions of Africa.

Recent Examples on the Web

If travel or study calls, sketch the first steps and request time to explore them. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026

Jones knew there would be a scene where Lestat would explore his grief over Claudia and that there needed to be a song for it. — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026

For the wanderers Saint-Tropez rewards the curious as much as the party crowd—and the best way to explore is entirely on your own terms. — Karli Poliziani, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026

School board member Kelly Gonez persuaded her colleagues to begin exploring it in 2019. — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin explorare, from ex- + plorare to cry out

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing explore

• re-explore

Rhymes for explore

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Kids Definition

explore

verb

ex·​plore ik-ˈsplō(ə)r 

-ˈsplȯ(ə)r

explored; exploring

1

a

: to search through : look into

exploring new ideas

b

: to go into or travel over for purposes of discovery or adventure

explore a cave

explore the moon

c

: to examine carefully and in detail especially in order to make a diagnosis

explore a wound

2

: to make a careful search

explore for oil

Medical Definition

explore

transitive verb

ex·​plore ik-ˈsplō(ə)r, -ˈsplȯ(ə)r 

explored; exploring

: to examine (as by surgery) especially for diagnostic purposes

the abdomen may need to be explored surgically

—Donald Caslow

exploration

ˌek-splə-ˈrā-shən 

noun