overlook

American  

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

verb (used with object)

overlooks, present (3rd person singular) overlooked, past participle, past overlooking present participle

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.

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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)

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noun

1. a high place affording a view

2. an act of overlooking

Synonym Usage

See slight.

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has overlooked
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have overlooked
  perfect
• is overlooking
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am overlooking
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been overlooking
  perfect progressive
• are overlooking
  progressive
• has been overlooking
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• overlooks
  singular 3rd person
• overlooking
  participle

Past

• had overlooked
  perfect
• was overlooking
  progressive singular
• had been overlooking
  perfect progressive
• were overlooking
  progressive plural
• overlooked
  simple
• overlooked
  participle

Future

• will overlook
  simple
• will have overlooked
  perfect
• will have been overlooking
  perfect progressive
• will be overlooking
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of overlook

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

Explanation

To overlook something is to fail to see it. When planning a party, it's best to write out a to-do list so that you don't overlook any details. The verb overlook literally means to look over the top of. The word has come to refer to the act of neglecting something, usually because your focus is aimed elsewhere. You might overlook the cost of car insurance if you’re busy calculating the cost of buying the car and paying for gas and parking. As a noun, an overlook is a space high above ground. You might overlook your curfew if you're busy enjoying an overlook with your date.

Example Sentences

Just 22 miles away from the head office, the Swiss Alps overlook the Romont coffee plant.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

The main floor comes complete with several seating areas, one of which is outfitted in impressive glass walls that overlook the backyard.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

He says this has enabled him to show prospective employers "young people can bring a fresh perspective, ask the questions others overlook and add real value even without a mountain of experience."

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

Of Kingsley, Tracy Brown writes, “Emmys tend to overlook Marvel actors … The evolution of Trevor Slattery since his ‘Iron Man 3’ debut deserves its own award.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

I'd overlook it a thousand times; no matter why I wasn't called.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

Related Words

• discount
• forget
• ignore
• omit