explore
gb/ɪksplˈɔɹ/ us/ɪksplˈɔɹ/
A2
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Travel to learn about a place
To go to a place to see what it is like and find out about it.
Usage pattern:
to explore [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'explore' with 'visit'; 'visit' can be brief and without detailed investigation, while 'explore' implies looking around in detail.
Synonyms
tour (Implies visiting places of interest, often for leisure, without necessarily implying discovery.)
|
travel through (Stresses movement through an area rather than investigation.)
Antonyms
ignore (Means to pay no attention to a place or its features.)
Collocations
explore the city
|explore a cave
|explore the countryside
|explore the jungle
Themes
travel
|discovery
|geography
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We spent the afternoon exploring the old town.
- They explored the island on foot.
- Tourists love to explore new cities when they travel.
- Scientists explored the remote desert for rare plants.
Learner examples
- I want to explore the park.
- We explore the beach every summer.
- He explores the city with his friends.
- They explore the forest near their home.
Verb
B1
action
2
Examine an idea carefully
To think about or talk about something in detail to understand it better.
Usage pattern:
to explore [an idea/topic/possibility]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'explain'; 'explore' is about detailed consideration, not making something clear for others.
Synonyms
investigate (Often implies a more formal or systematic process of finding facts.)
|
consider (Suggests thinking about something but may be less thorough than 'explore'.)
Antonyms
dismiss (To reject an idea without examining it.)
Collocations
explore the possibilities
|explore a topic
|explore an option
|explore different approaches
Themes
thinking
|research
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The course allows students to explore different career options.
- We need to explore all possible solutions before deciding.
- The documentary explores the history of jazz music.
- She explored the theme of identity in her novel.
Learner examples
- We explore new ideas in class.
- The teacher asks us to explore this topic.
- I want to explore other jobs.
- They explore what might happen next.
Verb
technical
C1
action
3
Investigate inside the body medically
For doctors, to look inside the body to find what is wrong.
Usage pattern:
to explore [a wound/organ]
Synonyms
probe (Implies physically searching inside something, especially in medical contexts.)
Collocations
explore a wound
|explore the abdomen
Themes
medicine
|health
|body
Examples
- The surgeon explored the wound to locate the bullet.
- Doctors had to explore the patient's abdomen during surgery.
- The procedure involves exploring the joint for damage.
Learner examples
- The doctor explores the wound.
- They explore inside the body.
- The surgeon explores the knee.
Grammar
Dictionary form
explore
IPA
GB/ɪksplˈɔɹ/
US/ɪksplˈɔɹ/
Syllables & stress
ex - plore (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (plore)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: explore
- 3rd Person Singular: explores
- Present Participle: exploring
- Past: explored
Word family
Forms
explores
verb
exploring
verb
explored
verb
Core family
exploration
noun B2
explorer
noun A2
Related words
exploratory
adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
unexplored
adjective
Expressions
explore all avenues
1/ɪksplˈɔɹ ˈɔl ˈævənˌuz/
fixed phrase
Look into every possible option
To try every possible way to do something or solve a problem.
Examples
- We must explore all avenues before giving up on the project.
- The police are exploring all avenues in their search for the suspect.
explore new horizons
1/ɪksplˈɔɹ njˈu hɚˈaɪzənz/
fixed phrase
literary
Try new experiences or interests
To start doing new things or going to new places to learn more and grow as a person.
Examples
- After retiring, she decided to explore new horizons and took up painting.
- Traveling abroad helped him explore new horizons.