C1verb2K

Overlook

UK /["/ˌəʊvəˈlʊk/","/ˌəʊvəˈlʊks/","/ˌəʊvəˈlʊkt/","/ˌəʊvəˈlʊkɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˌəʊvərˈlʊk/","/ˌəʊvərˈlʊks/","/ˌəʊvərˈlʊkt/","/ˌəʊvərˈlʊkɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to fail to see or notice something

In simple words: To not notice something or to ignore it.

Examples

  • From the hilltop, you can overlook the entire city in the distance.
  • It's easy to overlook small mistakes when you're in a hurry.
  • The balcony was designed to overlook the beautiful garden below.
  • She failed to overlook the instructions carefully, resulting in errors.
  • The hotel room's large windows overlook the ocean.
  • We must not overlook the significance of this discovery.

Usage notes

Commonly used when referring to missed details or ignoring responsibilities. Appropriate in both written and spoken English. Generally not used in very formal contexts.

Grammar pattern

overlook + object

Memory hint

Think of a bird's eye view — it can overlook the whole landscape.

Collocations

  • 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

Synonyms

  • miss
  • turn a blind eye (to something)
  • pass over

Antonyms

  • notice
  • acknowledge
  • spot

Common mistakes

  • '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').