supervise

American  

[soo-per-vahyz] / ˈsu pərˌvaɪz /

verb (used with object)

supervised, supervising

1. to oversee (a process, work, workers, etc.) during execution or performance; superintend; have the oversight and direction of.

   Synonyms:

   guide, control, direct, manage

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supervise British  

/ ˌsuːpəˈvɪʒən, ˈsuːpəˌvaɪz /

verb

1. to direct or oversee the performance or operation of

2. to watch over so as to maintain order, etc

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Usage

What does supervise mean? Supervise means to oversee, watch over, and provide direction for someone or something. You can supervise a project or process as it’s happening, but most of the time the word refers to supervising people, especially parents supervising their children or a manager or supervisor supervising their employees. The noun form of supervise is supervision. Someone being supervised is said to be under supervision. When it’s used in the context of adults watching children, the word often appears in the phrases parental supervision and adult supervision. Children or other people who can’t be left alone are said to need constant supervision. When they are left alone, they’re said to be unsupervised. The adjective form supervisory describes things that involve supervision, such as in the phrases supervisory role and supervisory capacity. Example: The key to supervising your employees effectively is giving them enough space to do their jobs, instead of constantly standing over their shoulders.

Other Word Forms

• nonsupervising
  adjective
• presupervise
  verb (used with object)
• quasi-supervised
  adjective
• supervision
  noun
• unsupervised
  adjective
• well-supervised
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of supervise

First recorded in 1580–90; from Medieval Latin supervīsus “overseen,” past participle of supervidēre “to oversee,” from super- super- + vidēre “to see”; see also wit ²

Explanation

If your mother asks you to supervise your little brother and his friends, it means she'd like you to keep an eye on them. The verb supervise has origins in the Latin word supervidere, from super-, meaning “over” and videre, meaning “to see.” When you supervise something, it means you oversee the project, managing the people working on it, perhaps by figuring out what needs to be done, assigning the work, and making sure it gets done properly. You serve as the boss when you supervise; other people are the workers.

Example Sentences

After he returned home to South Carolina, Hencely sued Fluor Corp. for negligently failing to supervise Nayeb.

From Slate • Apr. 22, 2026

The report said Fluor was negligent in hiring an Afghan who had been a Taliban operative, and it failed to closely supervise him.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

The remodeling company continues to operate, but pulls in much less revenue without Alberto to drum up business and supervise jobs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Atlas also licenses its technology to companies abroad and sends a team of specialists from the United States to supervise the construction work.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

She could no longer supervise me all day, every day.

From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge

Related Words

• administer
• conduct
• direct
• handle
• inspect
• look after
• oversee
• take care of