explore — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To seek for something or after someone.

   Usage

   • Intransitive
   • Obsolete

2. To examine or investigate something systematically.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   The committee has been exploring alternative solutions to the problem at hand.

   More examples (1)

   Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.

3. To travel somewhere in search of discovery.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   It was around that time that the expedition began exploring the Arctic Circle.

4. To examine diagnostically.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

5. To (seek) experience first hand.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   It is normal for a boy of this age to be exploring his sexuality.

6. To be engaged exploring in any of the above senses.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   He was too busy exploring to notice his son needed his guidance.

7. To wander without any particular aim or purpose.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   The boys explored all around till cold and hunger drove them back to the campfire one by one.

   More examples (1)

   They stayed together during three dances, went out on to the terrace, explored wherever they were permitted to explore, paid two visits to the buffet, and enjoyed themselves much in the same way as if they had been school-children surreptitiously breaking loose from an assembly of grown-ups.

8. To seek sexual variety, to sow one's wild oats.

   Usage

   • Transitive

Noun

1. An exploration; a tour of a place to see what it is like.

   Usage

   • Colloquial

   Examples

   Daylight was fading quickly, but I was still keen to have a little explore of the town and beach.

Verb

1. inquire into

   Synonyms

   researchsearch

   Broader terms

   investigatelook into

   Examples

   the students had to research the history of the Second World War for their history project

   He searched for information on his relatives on the web

   More examples (1)

   Scientists are exploring the nature of consciousness

2. travel to or penetrate into

   Broader terms

   investigatelook into

   Examples

   explore unknown territory in biology

3. inquire into a subject in detail

   Broader terms

   diagnosename

4. examine (organs) for diagnostic purposes

   Broader terms

   diagnose