An adventurer is someone who seeks out exciting, unusual, or risky experiences, often traveling to unfamiliar places or trying things most people wouldn't attempt. When a person climbs unexplored mountains, sails across oceans to discover new lands, or ventures into caves no one has mapped yet, they're acting as an adventurer.

Throughout history, famous adventurers have expanded humanity's knowledge of the world. Explorers like Marco Polo traveled the Silk Road to China in the 1200s, while Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Modern adventurers might dive to the deepest parts of the ocean or journey to Antarctica.

You don't need to cross continents to have an adventurous spirit. Someone who eagerly tries new foods, explores unfamiliar neighborhoods, or tackles challenging projects can be adventurous too. The key quality is a willingness to step into the unknown despite uncertainty or risk.

The word can also describe someone who seeks wealth or status through bold (sometimes questionable) schemes. In older stories, an adventurer might be a charming but untrustworthy person looking to make a quick fortune. Context usually makes it clear whether someone means the admirable explorer type or the sketchy schemer type.