overlook [verb oh-ver-loo k ; noun oh -ver-loo k]
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for overlook on Thesaurus.com to fail to notice, perceive, or consider: to overlook a misspelled word. to disregard or ignore indulgently, as faults or misconduct: Only a parent could overlook that kind of behavior. to look over, as from a higher position: a balcony that overlooks the ballroom. to afford a view over; look down or out upon: a hill overlooking the sea. to rise above: The Washington Monument overlooks the tidal basin. to excuse; pardon: a minor infraction we can overlook this time. to look over in inspection, examination, or perusal: They allowed us to overlook the proposed contract. to look after, oversee, or supervise: She has to overlook a large number of employees. Archaic to look upon with the evil eye; bewitch. Show More
terrain, as on a cliff, that affords an attractive vista or a good view: Miles of landscape could be seen from the overlook. Show More
Origin of overlook Middle English word dating back to
1325–75; see origin at
over- ,
look Related forms un·o·ver·looked , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for overlook ignore ,
discount ,
omit ,
forget ,
disregard ,
dominate ,
overpass ,
disdain ,
miss ,
slight ,
pass ,
stomach ,
whitewash ,
forgive ,
excuse ,
take ,
handle ,
condone ,
top ,
inspect Examples from the Web for overlook Contemporary Examples of overlook In the book, Tavris and Aronson argue that the same ability to overlook minor flaws in a marriage leads to overlook ing major ones.
Many were just eager to forget, absolve, or overlook serious accusations, simply because doing so would be hugely convenient.
But it is also a mistake to overlook some important differences.
In reading about ASHA, its current location is hard to overlook —Research Triangle, North Carolina.
Moments like these could cause ticket-buyers to squirm or, perhaps, reflect on their own capacity to overlook and forgive.
Historical Examples of overlook Our friend will overlook the matter if you do but say that you have acted in heat and haste.
You might overlook the most important part of my paraphernalia; and really I am not damaged.
It'll be an advantage if she is Irish, but I'll overlook it if she isn't.
From the hill, we could overlook the river, and the adjacent country.
He would prize the jewel, and overlook the inferiority of the casket.
British Dictionary definitions for overlook to fail to notice or take into account to disregard deliberately or indulgently to look at or over from above the garden is overlooked by the prison to afford a view of from above the house overlooks the bay to rise above to look after to look at carefully to bewitch or cast the evil eye upon (someone) Show More
a high place affording a view an act of overlooking Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for overlook v. mid-14c., "to examine, scrutinize, inspect," from over- + look (v.). Another Middle English sense was "to peer over the top of." These two literal senses have given rise to the two main modern meanings. Meaning "to look over or beyond and thus not see," via notion of "to choose to not notice" is first recorded 1520s. Seemingly contradictory sense of "to watch over officially, keep an eye on, superintend" is from 1530s. Related: Overlooked ; overlooking . In Shekaspeare's day, overlooking also was a common term for "inflicting the evil eye on" (someone or something).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
