overlook

American  

[oh-ver-look, oh-ver-look] / ˌoʊ vərˈlʊk, ˈoʊ vərˌlʊk /

verb (used with object)

1. to fail to notice, perceive, or consider.

   to overlook a misspelled word.

   Synonyms:

   miss

2. to disregard or ignore indulgently, as faults or misconduct.

   Only a parent could overlook that kind of behavior.

3. to look over, as from a higher position.

   a balcony that overlooks the ballroom.

4. to afford a view over; look down or out upon.

   a hill overlooking the sea.

5. to rise above.

   The Washington Monument overlooks the tidal basin.

6. to excuse; pardon.

   a minor infraction we can overlook this time.

7. to look over in inspection, examination, or perusal.

   They allowed us to overlook the proposed contract.

8. to look after, oversee, or supervise.

   She has to overlook a large number of employees.

9. Archaic. to look upon with the evil eye; bewitch.

---

noun

1. terrain, as on a cliff, that affords an attractive vista or a good view.

   Miles of landscape could be seen from the overlook.

overlook British  

verb

1. to fail to notice or take into account

2. to disregard deliberately or indulgently

3. to look at or over from above

   the garden is overlooked by the prison

4. to afford a view of from above

   the house overlooks the bay

5. to rise above

6. to look after

7. to look at carefully

8. to bewitch or cast the evil eye upon (someone)

---

noun

1. a high place affording a view

2. an act of overlooking

Related Words

See slight.

Etymology

Origin of overlook

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English; over-, look

Example Sentences

Steve Smith was overlooked despite his blistering Big Bash League form as an opener.

From Barron's

Maybe it held some information he had overlooked.

From Literature

“Many fears overlook the complexity, resilience and mission-critical nature of enterprise software,” they say.

From The Wall Street Journal

The original intention was to honor overlooked contributions and correct historical omissions.

From The Wall Street Journal

So they stayed on, married their sweethearts, and built homes next to each other, overlooking the river.

From Literature

Related Words

• discount
• forget
• ignore
• omit