Distinguishing Between Explore & Discover

What is Explore?

Let’s begin by focusing on the term “explore.” This word can be used when discussing a strange, unfamiliar place that someone is about to travel through. It implies that the individual’s purpose for traveling is to learn something new about the area. The following are some examples:

• The biologists were excited to explore the new land as they hoped to benefit from this journey.
• Exploring the jungle proved to be a challenge for all of us.
• It is through insurmountable difficulties that we finally explored the interior of the caves.

From these examples, it is clear that the word “explore” can be used in the context of traveling to unknown and mysterious places. The term can also be used when discussing the examination of something:

• She explored the objects closely so that nothing would go unnoticed.
• Although we explored the terrain, we failed to find anything of value.

As shown in these examples, exploring something involves scrutinizing or examining a subject, which can be a place or an object.

What is Discover?

“Discover” can have a variety of meanings. Firstly, it can be used to refer to being the first person to learn something:

• Penicillium was discovered by the Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming.
• Radium was discovered by Marie Curie.

The term can also be used when referring to something that has been learned or become known, even in the context of daily activities:

• I completed the work and went to the submission office to hand over the week’s report only to discover that the deadline had been extended.
• The discovery of her whereabouts shocked the entire family.

“Discover” can also refer to a new experience:

• We discovered a nice little cottage on the outskirts of the town.
• He discovered a beautiful lake by the old house.

Additionally, the term can be used when discussing a person’s potential:

• His true potential was discovered in college theatre.
• It was he who discovered her true talent.

Key Takeaways

• While both “explore” and “discover” involve learning or gaining knowledge about something, “discover” specifically highlights that someone is the first to observe or find something.
• “Explore” is typically used when discussing traveling through unfamiliar areas or examining something, while “discover” can refer to being the first to learn something, becoming aware of something, experiencing something new, or identifying a person’s potential.
• The main difference between the two terms is that “discover” emphasizes the idea of being the first to find or observe something, while “explore” does not.