explorer
UK: ɪkˈsplɔːrə | US: ɪkˈsplɔːrər
n. a person who travels to unfamiliar places to discover or learn about them
n. a person who examines or investigates a subject or field thoroughly
n. (computing) a program or tool for navigating and accessing data (e.g., file explorer)
explorer = ex<out> + plor<explore> + er<agent noun suffix>
- ex: Latin prefix meaning "out" or "thoroughly."
- plor: Derived from Latin plorare (to cry out, lament), later evolving to mean "to search" (via Old French explorer).
- er: Agent noun suffix indicating "one who does something."
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin explorare ("to investigate, search out"), originally linked to hunting or scouting (literally "to cry out" when game was found). Over time, explorare shifted to mean systematic investigation, especially of unknown territories. The modern sense of "adventurous traveler" emerged in the 17th century, while the computing term arose in the late 20th century.
The explorer mapped uncharted islands in the Pacific.
She is an explorer of human psychology, publishing groundbreaking research.
Use Windows Explorer to organize your files efficiently.
Early explorers faced immense dangers crossing deserts and oceans.
The documentary features an Arctic explorer studying climate change.