explorer
ehk-SPLAW-ruh
Explorer (noun) means a person who travels to unfamiliar places to discover new things. Example: “As a child, she dreamed of becoming an explorer of distant jungles.”
noun
1
A person who travels to unfamiliar places to discover new things.
"As a child, she dreamed of becoming an explorer of distant jungles."
"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.
"I used the file explorer to move my photos into a new folder."
"Click the folder in the explorer panel on the left to see its contents."
"Open the file explorer to find the downloaded document."
How to use explorer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who travels to discover new places, or a tool for browsing and finding files.
Common pairings
polar explorer
file explorer
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Word forms
- Plural
- explorers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
As a child, she dreamed of becoming an _____ of distant jungles.
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.
