Cool MateJust ignore that vs Overlook
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Just ignore that
InformalTop 1,000 (very common)
Overlook
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Most formal: OverlookMost common: Just ignore that
| Just ignore that | Overlook | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dʒʌst ɪɡˈnɔː ðæt//🇺🇸 //dʒʌst ɪɡˈnɔr ðæt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌəʊvəˈlʊk/","/ˌəʊvəˈlʊks/","/ˌəʊvəˈlʊkt/","/ˌəʊvəˈlʊkɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌəʊvərˈlʊk/","/ˌəʊvərˈlʊks/","/ˌəʊvərˈlʊkt/","/ˌəʊvərˈlʊkɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Don't pay attention to that. | To not notice something or to ignore it. |
| Example | When she criticizes your work, just ignore that. | From the hilltop, you can overlook the entire city in the distance. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | just ignore that comment, just ignore that noise, just ignore that person | completely, entirely, largely, cannot, cannot afford to, should not, be easily overlooked, something should not be overlooked, completely, entirely, largely, cannot, cannot afford to, should not, be easily overlooked, something should not be overlooked |
| Antonyms | - | notice, acknowledge, spot |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'just' as a limiting word., Incorrectly emphasizing 'ignore' as a command instead of a suggestion. | 'Overlook' used as a noun instead of a verb., Confusing 'overlook' with 'oversee', which means to supervise., Using 'overlook' with an incorrect preposition (e.g. 'overlook at something'). |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversations; avoid in formal contexts. Suitable when suggesting someone not mind something. | Commonly used when referring to missed details or ignoring responsibilities. Appropriate in both written and spoken English. Generally not used in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Just ignore that vs Overlook
What's the difference between Just ignore that and Overlook?
Just ignore that: Don't pay attention to that. Overlook: To not notice something or to ignore it.
Which is more formal: Just ignore that and Overlook?
Overlook is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Just ignore that and Overlook?
Just ignore that is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Just ignore that: When she criticizes your work, just ignore that. Overlook: From the hilltop, you can overlook the entire city in the distance.
Can I use Just ignore that and Overlook interchangeably?
Not always. Just ignore that and Overlook are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.