Dictionary Workbench Ondict
Word Bank Import Dict Cloud Sync

    explore

    Dictionary entry view. Switch to definition mode above when you know the meaning but not the word.

    explore
    ex‧plore S3 W2 /ɪkˈsplɔː $ -ˈsplɔːr/ verb
     Word Family: noun: exploration, explorer; adjective: exploratory, unexplored; verb: explore
     Date: 1500-1600
     Language: Latin
     Origin: explorare, from plorare 'to cry out'; probably from the shouting of hunters when they see the animal they are trying to catch
    1. [transitive] to discuss or think about something carefully
       SYN  look at:
        Management need to explore ways of improving office security.
        I’m going to explore the possibility of a part-time job.
    2. [intransitive and transitive] to travel around an area in order to find out about it:
        Venice is a wonderful city to explore.
    3. explore (something) for oil/minerals/gold etc to look for something such as oil, minerals etc
    4. [transitive] written to feel something with your hand or another part of your body to find out what it is like:
        Gingerly she explored the bump on her head with her fingers.
         
    THESAURUS
       ▪ investigate to try to find out the truth about something such as a crime, accident, or scientific problem: Police are investigating an explosion in the city centre. | The aim of the study is to investigate how climate change is affecting animal behaviour. | There were fears he may have drowned in the lake, so divers were sent down to investigate.
       ▪ look into something to find out more about a problem, especially after someone has asked you to do this: The manager promised to look into my complaint. | Please could you look into the matter for me?
       ▪ explore to consider or discuss something, in order to help you decide what you should do: Military leaders are exploring new ways of defending the United States from terrorism. | I’m going to explore the possibility of a part-time job.
       ▪ probe [intransitive and transitive] to try to find secret or hidden information, especially by asking questions: The press began probing into the actor’s private life. | We have been probing the reasons why the government has been so slow to react to the problem of climate change.
       ▪ delve [intransitive] to look somewhere in order to try to find more information about something, especially something that is difficult to find out about: Over the past year Ms Deen has been delving into the national archives, in order to discover information on the early Muslim settlers. | I think we need to delve a little deeper.
       ▪ be under investigation if someone or their activities are under investigation, the police are trying to find out if they have done something illegal: Several public figures are under investigation for corruption.