explore

Formsexplores, exploring, explored

Pluralexplores

1. 1
   verbtransitive

   To travel into a place in order to discover what is there.

   Scientists hope to explore the ocean floor near the volcanic ridge.

   The expedition explored several uncharted valleys before winter set in.

   Similarsurvey, traverse, scout

2. 2
   verbtransitive

   To study or investigate something in a careful, methodical way.

   The committee will explore every option before making a decision.

   Her latest book explores the roots of economic inequality.

   Similarinvestigate, examine, study, consider, research

3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To seek out and experience something firsthand.

   After college, she set out to explore the music scenes of different cities.

   He explored Buddhism for several years before committing to it.

   Similarexperience, discover, sample

   Note

   Discovery turned inward or toward experience: what is explored is a part of life or of oneself, as when a boy of a certain age is exploring his sexuality. The object is usually abstract, such as a faith, a music scene or an identity. It sits close to the "wild oats" meaning, but that one is about variety of partners, while this one is about coming to know something by living it.

4. 4
   verbintransitive

   To roam about freely without any fixed aim or destination.

   On weekends they like to explore through the back alleys of the old city.

   She wandered off to explore while the others rested in the shade.

   Similarwander, roam, ramble, rove

   Note

   Without an object and without a goal, the verb leans on words of place: explore all around, explore about, explore wherever one likes. Archibald Marshall, writing in 1909, has a couple at a court ball who "explored wherever they were permitted to explore." The pleasure is in the roaming itself. If you add a destination or an object, the sense slides back toward purposeful discovery.

5. 5
   verbintransitive

   To be actively occupied in exploring, whether traveling, searching, or investigating.

   Given a free day, the students would rather explore than lie on the beach.

   The crew explored tirelessly through the long polar night.

   Similarsearch

6. 6
   verbintransitive

   To examine diagnostically, especially by looking directly inside the body during a medical procedure.

   The surgeon chose to explore before committing to a full procedure.

   When imaging proves inconclusive, physicians may explore directly.

   Note

   A clinician's use, and grammatically an unusual one: the verb can stand without an object, so a surgeon simply explores. Everyday English nearly always names what is being explored. The systematic-study meaning takes options, variables and solutions as its objects. Outside a medical setting, a bare "the doctor explored" would sound incomplete. Inside one, it reads as a complete clinical statement.

7. 7
   nouncolloquialcountable

   A casual look around a place to see what it is like.

   After lunch we went for an explore along the harbor.

   The kids begged for an explore before heading home.

   Similarwander, stroll, ramble

   Note

   The verb turned into a noun for casual talk. It almost always rides on a light verb: you have an explore or go for an explore. A small adjective often softens it further, as in John Watters's Bonza Voyage (2008): "keen to have a little explore of the town and beach." The place follows of or along, and the plural is explores. In formal writing, use exploration instead.

8. 8
   verbtransitive

   To seek out a variety of sexual experiences; to sow one's wild oats.

   Before committing to one person, he wanted to explore his options.

   She explored several relationships during her years abroad.

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