Cool MateSupervise
UK /["/ˈsuːpəvaɪz/","/ˈsuːpəvaɪzɪz/","/ˈsuːpəvaɪzd/","/ˈsuːpəvaɪzɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˈsuːpərvaɪz/","/ˈsuːpərvaɪzɪz/","/ˈsuːpərvaɪzd/","/ˈsuːpərvaɪzɪŋ/"]/
Definition
to be in charge of somebody/something and make sure that everything is done correctly, safely, etc.
In simple words: To watch over and manage people or activities.
Examples
- to supervise building work
- Who is supervising?
- She supervised the children playing near the pool.
- He was directly responsible for supervising the loading of the containers.
- I will supervise the work personally.
- The pool is fully supervised by trained staff.
- a proposal for an internationally supervised ceasefire
- During the training period, new employees are closely supervised.
- The commission is charged with supervising elections.
Usage notes
Used in professional or educational contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler terms like 'watch' may be more appropriate.
Grammar pattern
supervise + object
Memory hint
Think of 'super' plus 'vise' — you are a superhero watching over your team!
Collocations
- carefully
- closely
- directly
- appoint somebody to
- be responsible for supervising something
Synonyms
- oversee
- manage
- direct
- administer
- superintend
Antonyms
- neglect
- ignore
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'supervisor' - remember 'supervise' is the action, while 'supervisor' is the person.
- Using 'supervise' in informal contexts where 'help' or 'watch' would be better.
- Omitting the object - 'supervise' should always have something that is being supervised.