overlook

[ verb oh-ver-look; noun 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

That focus on self-protection is largely overlooked in the negative reactions to 4B in the U.S., but it shouldn't be.

From Salon

However, although the first world-title fight in Saudi took place in October, female boxing has generally been overlooked by the Kingdom.

From BBC

“Forty f— years ago!” the 60-year-old McKagan exclaims as he laughs over Zoom, sitting at a table at his Seattle home that overlooks the water.

From Los Angeles Times

He said he was most looking forward to enjoying his morning coffee overlooking the Antarctic landscape and "hopefully seeing a whale or two".

From BBC

He sneaked in “I’m not a good person” so innocuously that the old me would have overlooked it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• discount
• forget
• ignore
• omit