First Known Use: 1585
Dictionary
explore
verb ex·plore \ik-ˈsplȯr\
: to look at (something) in a careful way to learn more about it : to study or analyze (something)
: to talk or think about (something) in a thoughtful and detailed way
: to learn about (something) by trying it
ex·ploredex·plor·ing
Full Definition of EXPLORE
transitive verb
1
a : to investigate, study, or analyze : look into <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>
See explore defined for English-language learners
See explore defined for kids
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Origin of EXPLORE
Latin explorare, from ex- + plorare to cry out
Related to EXPLORE
- Synonyms
- delve (into), dig (into), examine, inquire (into), investigate, look (into), probe, research, check into, check up on
Rhymes with EXPLORE
abhor, adore, afore, and/or, as for, ashore, backdoor, bailor, bandore, Bangor, bedsore, before, bezoar, bookstore, box score, but for, call for, candor, captor, centaur, chain store, claymore, closed-door, cold sore, cold store, condor, Côte d'Or, decor, deplore, dime-store, Dior, done for, donor, downpour, drugstore, Dutch door, encore, ephor, eyesore, fall for, feoffor, fetor, Fillmore, first floor, flexor, folklore, footsore, foreshore, fourscore, French door, full-bore, Gabor, galore, Glen More, go for, ground floor, gun for, hard-core, hog score, ichor, ignore, implore, Indore, indoor, in for, inshore, in-store, Kotor, Lahore, lakeshore, lector, lee shore, lessor, line score, look for, Luxor, memoir, mentor, Mysore, nearshore, Nestor, next-door, offshore, onshore, outdoor, outpour, phosphor, psywar, rancor, rapport, raptor, raw score, Realtor, restore, rhetor, savior, seafloor, seashore, sector, seignior, Senghor, senhor, sensor, settlor, Seymour, signor, smoothbore, s'more, soft-core, sophomore, stand for, stentor, stertor, storm door, Strathmore, stressor, stridor, subfloor, swear for, Tagore, take for, temblor, tensor, therefor, therefore, threescore, Timor, trapdoor, turgor, uproar, vendor, what's more, wherefore, wild boar, woodlore, z-score
EXPLORE Defined for Kids
explore
verb ex·plore \ik-ˈsplȯr\
ex·ploredex·plor·ing
Definition of EXPLORE for Kids
1
: to search through or into : study closely <Doctors explored the spread of the disease.>
2
: to go into or through for purposes of discovery or adventure <explore a cave>
— ex·plor·er \ik-ˈsplȯr-ər\ noun
Medical Dictionary
explore
transitive verb ex·plore \ik-ˈsplō(ə)r, -ˈsplȯ(ə)r\
ex·ploredex·plor·ing
Medical Definition of EXPLORE
: to examine (as by surgery) especially for diagnostic purposes <the abdomen may need to be explored surgically—Donald Caslow>
—ex·plo·ra·tion \ˌek-splə-ˈrā-shən\ noun
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