explore

The word “explore” means to travel through an unfamiliar place in order to learn about it. In plain terms, to travel around discovering a place, or to think carefully through an idea or option.

“Explore” is pronounced ihk-SPLAW (/ɪkˈsploɹ/ in IPA).

Here is “explore” used in a sentence: “Divers explored the sunken shipwreck for hidden treasure.”

“Explore” is a verb.

The word “explore” comes from Latin. From Middle French explorer, from Latin explorare, "to investigate, search out" — originally a hunting term meaning "to cry out," from ex- ("out") + plorare ("to cry").

“Explore” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Explore” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to travel through an unfamiliar place in order to learn about it.

To 'explore' is to travel through or examine something carefully in order to learn about it, focusing on the process of searching. To 'discover' is to find something for the first time, focusing on the result, so you often explore an area in the hope of discovering something new.

'Explore' suggests an open-ended search or examination to learn about a place or idea, without a fixed conclusion in mind. 'Investigate' is more systematic and purposeful, usually aimed at uncovering facts or solving a specific problem, as in investigating a crime.

'Explore' often implies moving through or ranging over something wide, such as a region or a broad topic, to learn about it. 'Examine' suggests looking closely and in detail at something specific to check or understand it, so exploring is broader and examining is more focused.

'Explore' is usually a transitive verb that takes a direct object with no preposition, as in 'explore the cave' or 'explore the idea.' You should not say 'explore into something,' since the object follows the verb directly.