adjective
exploratory
ik-SPLOR-uh-tor-ee/ɪkˈsplɔːrətɔːri/
Done to investigate or discover possibilities.
The designer's exploratory tests compare how different model bridges bend under weight.
Etymology
The investigating root also produced the Latin word for a scout. Exploratory originally described scouting or exploration, connecting today's investigative activities with searching for information and possibilities.
In context
Archaeologist Kristin South helps supervise the dig. KRISTIN: This is our first kind of exploratory trench. And then as we have time, we'll do a couple of other test trenches along the entire length of it.
More examples
- The doctor recommends exploratory surgery to find the cause of the pain.
- Our exploratory research helps us identify questions for a larger study.
- We take an exploratory trip to see whether we could live there.
Forms
exploratory
explore verb — Investigate something to learn or discover.
exploration noun — The process of investigating or discovering.
Similar words
- investigative
- Emphasizes uncovering facts rather than considering possible courses of action.
- experimental
- Emphasizes testing ideas or methods rather than broadly investigating possibilities.