overlook

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/ˌoʊvɚˈlʊk/
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Looking from a higher position can lead either to seeing a wide scene or to passing over what is close by.
Practice using overlook in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Is there a safe overlook along this trail?
  • I overlooked a small error in the final paragraph.
  • A foreman was appointed to overlook the work.
  • Minor faults are easier to overlook when trust is strong.
  • The steward did not personally overlook every task.

Similar words

skip
manage
neglect
observation point
pardon
look onto
disregard
oversee
excuse
monitor

Meanings

Fail to notice

verb
everyday
neutral
To fail to notice, consider, or give enough attention to something, usually by mistake.

Examples

  • I overlooked a small error in the final paragraph.
  • Do not overlook the warning signs.
  • Why was her strongest point overlooked?
  • The review may have overlooked evidence from rural areas.
  • Even careful readers sometimes overlook obvious details.

Similar words

miss
forget
neglect
omit
disregard
skip

Choose not to punish

verb
social
neutral
To forgive a fault or bad act by choosing not to complain about it or punish it.

Examples

  • I can overlook one honest mistake.
  • The manager refused to overlook repeated dishonesty.
  • Could you overlook the delay this time?
  • They overlooked his rude comment and continued the meeting.
  • Minor faults are easier to overlook when trust is strong.

Similar words

forgive
excuse
pardon
ignore
condone

Have a view from above

verb
places
neutral
To be above or beside a place with a clear view down or out across it.

Examples

  • Our room overlooks the harbor.
  • A stone terrace overlooked the garden.
  • Does the apartment overlook the park?
  • The castle overlooks the town from a steep hill.
  • No neighboring windows overlook the private courtyard.

Similar words

face
command
dominate
look onto
look out over

Supervise or inspect

verb
work
archaic
To watch over people or examine work, a dated use now usually replaced by oversee or inspect.

Examples

  • A foreman was appointed to overlook the work.
  • She overlooked the accounts before signing them.
  • The older text says one officer overlooked the whole crew.
  • Few people now use overlook to mean supervise.
  • The steward did not personally overlook every task.

Similar words

oversee
supervise
inspect
monitor
manage

High viewing place

noun
travel
neutral
A high place where people stop to look at the land or scenery below, especially beside a road or trail.

Examples

  • We stopped at an overlook above the canyon.
  • Is there a safe overlook along this trail?
  • The road climbs to a popular scenic overlook.
  • Fog hid the valley from the overlook.
  • They ate lunch at the overlook before hiking back.

Similar words

lookout
viewpoint
scenic viewpoint
observation point

Etymology

Formed in Middle English from over and look. The verb is recorded from the 14th century, while the American noun for a viewing place appeared later.

FAQ

What does overlook mean?

Looking from a higher position can lead either to seeing a wide scene or to passing over what is close by.

How do you pronounce overlook?

/ˌoʊvɚˈlʊk/ (verb), /ˈoʊvɚˌlʊk/ (noun)

What is the difference between overlook and oversee?

To watch over people or examine work, a dated use now usually replaced by oversee or inspect.

Can overlook mean forgive?

To forgive a fault or bad act by choosing not to complain about it or punish it.

What is an overlook in American English?

A high place where people stop to look at the land or scenery below, especially beside a road or trail.

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