exploratory

[ ik-splawr-uh-tawr-ee, -splohr-uh-tohr-ee or ik-splawr-uh-tiv, -splohr- ]

/ ɪkˈsplɔr əˌtɔr i, -ˈsploʊr əˌtoʊr i or ɪkˈsplɔr ə tɪv, -ˈsploʊr- /

pertaining to or concerned with exploration: an exploratory operation.

inclined to make explorations.

Origin of exploratory

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Latin word explōrātōrius. See exploration, -ory¹

ex·plor·a·tive·ly, adverb non·ex·plor·a·tive, adjective non·ex·plor·a·to·ry, adjective un·ex·plor·a·tive, adjective

un·ex·plor·a·to·ry, adjective

Unlike former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Huckabee is not immediately forming an exploratory committee.

Can Huckabee Convert the GOP’s Moneymen? |Lloyd Green |January 4, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
Rand Paul announced he would form an exploratory committee for a Senate campaign at just the right time, in May 2009.

Rand Paul’s Daddy Issues |Olivia Nuzzi |July 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Gorgeous gave them an opportunity to take on a serious subject in a fun, exploratory way, McGill says.

Hello, ‘Gorgeous’: Grit and Glamour In San Francisco |Emily Wilson |June 20, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
It is not an efficient way to write, but I love that exploratory phase, when even bad writing somehow seems promising.

Scott Turow: How I Write |Noah Charney |October 23, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

In February, he formed an exploratory committee for his congressional bid.

Sean Eldridge, Husband of Facebook Mogul Chris Hughes, Running For Congress |Ben Jacobs |September 23, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
"She's worth anything," he said simply, and she liked him for the speech, but stuck to her exploratory purpose.

Abington Abbey |Archibald Marshall
As near as can be determined, it was spread by the crew of an exploratory rocket after the discovery of a new asteroid.

This World Must Die! |Horace Brown Fyfe
The new response is exploratory and tentative, while habit is fixed and definite.

Psychology |Robert S. Woodworth
These were both western men, animated with the spirit of exploratory enterprise which characterizes that people.

The Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, Oregon and California |Brevet Col. J.C. Fremont
The Frenchman was already moving into a combat stance, a slight crouch, an exploratory circling of the tip of his sword.

The Saracen: The Holy War |Robert Shea