English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

explorer

ehk-SPLAW-ruh

Explorer (noun) means a person who travels to unfamiliar places to discover new things. Example: “The explorer spent years mapping the Amazon basin.”

noun
1
A person who travels to unfamiliar places to discover new things.
"The explorer spent years mapping the Amazon basin."
"Early explorers crossed the ocean in search of new trade routes."
2
A tool or program for browsing files or information.
"Open the file explorer to find the downloaded document."

How to Use Explorer

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who travels to discover new places, or a tool for browsing and finding files.

Common pairings
polar explorer file explorer

Word Forms

explorers plural, Explorers plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “explorer” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ spent years mapping the Amazon basin.

Etymology

From explore + the agent-noun ending -er.

Related Words

Rhymes for explorer

See all rhymes for explorer →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “explorer” mean?

The word “explorer” means a person who travels to unfamiliar places to discover new things. In plain terms, someone who travels to discover new places, or a tool for browsing and finding files.

How do you pronounce “explorer”?

“Explorer” is pronounced ehk-SPLAW-ruh (/ɛkˈsplɔːɹə(ɹ)/ in IPA).

How do you use “explorer” in a sentence?

Here is “explorer” used in a sentence: “The explorer spent years mapping the Amazon basin.”

What part of speech is “explorer”?

“Explorer” is a noun.

Is “explorer” a common word?

“Explorer” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “explorer” have?

“Explorer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who travels to unfamiliar places to discover new things.

What is the difference between an explorer and a pioneer?

An explorer is someone who travels to unfamiliar places to discover new things, focusing on the act of discovery itself. A pioneer typically goes further by settling or developing new territory, often after it has already been explored. All pioneers might explore, but not all explorers become pioneers.

Why is File Explorer called an explorer?

File Explorer and similar programs are called explorers because they let users browse through files and folders to discover and access information, mirroring the sense of an explorer as someone who travels to find new things. The term extends the idea of discovery to navigating digital file systems.

Is explorer capitalized when referring to software?

Explorer is capitalized when it is part of a proper product name, such as File Explorer or Internet Explorer, but lowercase when used generically to describe a person who explores or a general file-browsing tool.

People Also Searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial