overlooked

[oh-ver-lookt]

adjective

1. not noticed, or not considered, used, etc..

   This collection of songs includes some long overlooked material by the artist.

2. indulgently or generously excused or disregarded, as faults or misbehavior.

   We share love in a million different ways—a kind word or friendly smile here, an overlooked offense or an act of service there.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of overlook.

Other Word Forms

• unoverlooked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of overlooked¹

overlook ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

By highlighting the profound, yet often overlooked, role of coccolithophores, scientists want to inspire a new wave of ocean literacy, policy focus, and public engagement.

Read more on Science Daily

Aluminum, despite its many useful properties, has been largely overlooked.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The most overlooked U.S. crime story in recent years has been the huge crime spike in our cities.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Overwhelmed by these exotic sights, this visitor completely overlooked the presence of small, shrew-like mammals—the very creatures whose descendants would, eventually, inherit the earth.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

California’s high concentration of rehab facilities and large population continue to make it a magnet for operators hoping to be overlooked by overburdened regulators.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• forgotten 
• neglected www.thesaurus.com
• unnoticed