explore

explore — verb

1. to go to a place that is new or unfamiliar and find out what is there, especiall

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to go to a place that is new or unfamiliar and find out what is there, especially for adventure, science, or learning

Example

Eli and his cousin spent two weeks exploring New Zealand's national parks.

explore + geographical area (national parks / forest / cave system)

The team of geologists will explore the newly discovered cave system next month.

Common collocations
  • explore a cave / forest / island / region / city
  • explore the surface of the Moon / Mars
  • go exploring
Synonyms
  • traverse

    focuses on crossing an area from one side to another, not necessarily discovering things along the way

  • survey

    suggests a more systematic, scientific examination of an area, often measuring or mapping it

  • roam

    implies moving around without a fixed purpose, whereas explore suggests a goal of discovery

Antonyms
  • ignore

    to deliberately pay no attention to a place

Grammar Patterns

explore + noun phrase (a place)

go exploring

Usage Note

Common with nouns for geographical or architectural spaces (area, region, cave, forest, island, city, temple). The intransitive form usually appears in the fixed phrase 'go exploring.'

Common Mistakes

I explored about the history of Taiwan.
I explored the history of Taiwan.
'Explore' is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.
We explored the maths problem for an hour.' (for physical sense 1)
We explored the cave for an hour.
Use sense 1 for physical places; use sense 2 (探討) for abstract topics like ideas or problems.

2. to carefully study, discuss, or try out something in order to understand it bett

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to carefully study, discuss, or try out something in order to understand it better or find out what options exist

Example

The researchers are exploring different ways to reduce plastic waste in the ocean.

explore + noun phrase (ways / possibilities / options)

At the meeting, Nicholas and Lakshmi explored opening a second office in Bangkok.

Common collocations
  • explore an idea / a possibility / an option
  • explore a topic / a theme / an issue
  • explore different approaches / strategies / methods
  • explore whether / how / what
Synonyms
  • investigate

    suggests a more systematic, formal inquiry, often used in legal or scientific contexts

  • examine

    focuses on looking at something closely and carefully, often with existing knowledge rather than open-ended discovery

  • probe

    implies exploring sensitive or hidden aspects, often with a sense of pushing deeper into a subject

Antonyms
  • overlook

    to fail to consider something that should be examined

Grammar Patterns

explore + noun phrase (an idea, a possibility, an issue, a topic)

explore + whether / how / what clause

Usage Note

This sense is always transitive. The object is usually an abstract noun (idea, question, issue, possibility, option, theme, concept). When followed by a clause, common patterns are 'explore whether…' and 'explore how…' but not 'explore that…' (use 'discover that…' instead).

Common Mistakes

I explored that the machine was broken.
I discovered that the machine was broken.
'Explore' cannot be followed by a that-clause stating a conclusion; use 'discover' or 'find out.'
Let's explore if he is telling the truth.
Let's find out if he is telling the truth.
When checking a single fact, use 'find out' or 'check'; 'explore' suggests a broader, more open-ended investigation.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

All four words involve looking into something carefully, but they differ in scope and formality. 'Investigate' suggests a formal, methodical inquiry, often with a specific question to answer — a detective investigates a crime, a committee investigates a complaint. 'Examine' means to look at something closely, often with existing knowledge or criteria — a doctor examines a patient, an inspector examines a building. 'Probe' carries a sense of pushing deeper into something hidden or sensitive, like a journalist probing a company's finances. 'Survey' is broader and less deep — it means to get a general picture, like surveying public opinion or surveying land. 'Explore' (sense 2) is the most open-ended of the group: you explore ideas, possibilities, or topics without knowing what you will find, which makes it ideal for creative or early-stage thinking. For example, a team might explore several design options before examining each one in detail, then investigate the most promising candidate.

investigate ↗examine ↗probe ↗survey ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

  • explore the possibility of
  • explore ways to
  • explore options for
  • explore the idea of

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'explorare' meaning 'to search out, examine, scout.' The word was formed from 'ex-' (out) and 'plorare' (to cry out, to shout) — because ancient hunters and scouts would cry out to signal their discoveries to others. The word entered English through French in the 1500s with the sense of travelling into unknown lands.