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Glite Dictionary
Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer

19 2.7
A web browser made by Microsoft for Windows computers
  • noun
  • Texting
translation icon : Internet Explorer
  • Although Internet Explorer was once the most popular browser, many users have switched to alternatives.
  • Internet Explorer browser
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Internet Explorer or Netscape

One of the two was Microsoft's embedded Open type EOT, but that only worked in Internet Explorer and it wasn't open.

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Examples

  • For example, the most recent version of Westlaw 7.2 operates only with Internet Explorer, a leading web browser.

    Academic text (1999)

  • To start the browser in this mode, open Internet Explorer and hold Ctrl + Shift + P.

    Blog text (11)

  • There is a problem with your website in Internet Explorer; could you test this?

    Blog text (2)

  • We can use Internet Explorer or we can use the Edge browser.

  • We were using Internet Explorer and the Chrome team missed their target.

  • Tracking Protection is a feature built into Internet Explorer 9 that can help block such online tracking.

    Blog text (11)

  • There's an issue with your site in Internet Explorer; can you test this?

    Blog text (5)

  • For example, such bugs have left popular web browsers, including Mozilla and Internet Explorer, open to attack.

    Academic text (2011)

  • We currently support any browser: Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Internet Explorer, and Safari.

    Blog text (11)

  • We will take a look at Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Internet Explorer and Safari to see which is the king of the hill.

Synonyms

Explorer
vsInternet Explorer
54 3.8

A web browser Microsoft made that people used on Windows computers from 1995 to 2022

is the official full product name rather than an alternate label
IE
vsInternet Explorer
18 4.8

A web browser from Microsoft

is the full formal name rather than the shortened abbreviation

Surface Forms

Internet Explorer singular

Morphology

Internet + Explorer

The name combines two transparent, frequent words: 'Internet' (the global network) and 'Explorer' (one who explores), so the compound readily suggests a tool that 'explores the Internet' — i.e. a web browser. As a product/brand name formed compositionally and with similar constructions across languages, a B1 learner who knows both constituents would very likely infer its meaning.

Etymology

Internet Explorer comes from the words Internet + Explorer. Imagine an explorer who looks around new places; the program 'explores' the Internet for you and so the name means a 'web browser' made by Microsoft that came with Windows.