What does "explore" mean?
An exploration; a tour of a place to see what it is like.
Explore
/ɪkˈsplɔː/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An exploration; a tour of a place to see what it is like.
- Grammar: explore is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: academic discipline research, adventuring, analyze, assess.
- Useful contrasts: surface scratches, conclusion, discard options.
- Usage evidence: We want to explore an underwater oil field.
How to use "explore"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "explore" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "explore" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "explore" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "explore" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "explore" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "academic discipline research" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "explore", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An exploration; a tour of a place to see what it is like. colloquial
"Daylight was fading quickly, but I was still keen to have a little explore of the town and beach."
Verb
- 1 To seek for something or after someone. intransitive, obsolete
- 2 examine (organs) for diagnostic purposes wordnet
- 3 To examine or investigate something systematically. transitive
"The committee has been exploring alternative solutions to the problem at hand."
- 4 inquire into a subject in detail wordnet
- 5 To travel somewhere in search of discovery. transitive
"It was around that time that the expedition began exploring the Arctic Circle."
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 inquire into wordnet
- 7 To examine diagnostically. intransitive
- 8 travel to or penetrate into wordnet
- 9 To (seek) experience first hand. transitive
"It is normal for a boy of this age to be exploring his sexuality."
- 10 To be engaged exploring in any of the above senses. intransitive
"He was too busy exploring to notice his son needed his guidance."
- 11 To wander without any particular aim or purpose. intransitive
"The boys explored all around till cold and hunger drove them back to the campfire one by one."
- 12 To seek sexual variety, to sow one's wild oats. transitive
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"We want to explore an underwater oil field."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "explore"?
Common synonyms include: academic discipline research, adventuring, analyze, assess, backtrack, backtracks.
How do you use "explore" in a sentence?
We want to explore an underwater oil field.
How do you pronounce "explore"?
Pronounced /ɪkˈsplɔː/.
Etymology
From Middle French explorer, from Latin explōrāre (“to investigate, search out”), itself said to be originally a hunters' term meaning "to set up a loud cry", from ex- (“out”) + plōrāre (“to cry”), but the second element is also explained as "to make to flow" (from pluere (“to flow”)).