exploratory

adjective

ex·​plor·​ato·​ry ik-ˈsplȯr-ə-ˌtȯr-ē 

: of, relating to, or being exploration

exploratory surgery

exploratory drilling for oil

Examples of exploratory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Later this month, the Television Academy will start the exploratory talks on whether to simply continue the wheel — which has been in place since 1995 — or do something completely different. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025

This theory posits that positive emotions, such as happiness, broaden an individual’s awareness and emotional repertoire, encouraging novel and exploratory thoughts and actions. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Fat-blocking microbeads made with green tea, vitamin E and seaweed could offer a new way to lose weight and a potential alternative to popular GLP-1 drugs and bariatric surgery, according to exploratory new research. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025

The Orgy Dome is a safe, inclusionary, and exploratory environment. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing exploratory

• exploratory surgery

Rhymes for exploratory

• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory

Kids Definition

exploratory

adjective

ex·​plor·​a·​to·​ry

ik-ˈsplōr-ə-ˌtōr-ē,

-ˌtȯr-

: of, relating to, or being exploration

exploratory drilling for oil

an exploratory trip

exploratory surgery

Medical Definition

exploratory

adjective

ex·​plor·​ato·​ry ik-ˈsplōr-ə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˈsplȯr-, -ˌtȯr- 

: of, relating to, or being exploration

exploratory surgery