overlook

[oh-ver-look, oh-ver-look]

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of overlook¹

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

Synonym Study

See slight.

Example Sentences

Closer to Skull Rock Trailhead, near the origin of the fire, a neighborhood overlooking both the wilderness and the sea is quiet, aside from the occasional trudging machinery.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The fire was sparked on 7 January near a popular hiking trail overlooking the wealthy coastal neighbourhood.

Read more on BBC

But the road nicknamed "Lovers' Street" – and the six-storey building that overlooks it – is now surrounded by rubble.

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As he sat taking it all in from his dining room table overlooking the San Gabriel Mountains, the artist said, “The house is super efficient now. This is a magical space.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She will be remembered as an irrepressible gossip, whose enormous sales caused some to overlook her enviable skills as a writer.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• discount 
• forget 
• ignore 
• omit