verb B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

overlook

OH-vuh-luuk

Overlook (verb) means to fail to notice something, or to miss it despite it being there. Example: “The editor overlooked a glaring typo on the front page.”

verb

To fail to notice something, or to miss it despite it being there.

"The editor overlooked a glaring typo on the front page."

To choose not to hold something against someone; to let a mistake pass without punishing it.

"I'll overlook the late arrival just this once."

To have a view down over something from a higher position.

"The balcony overlooks the harbour."

noun

A point or spot that gives a wide view down over an area.

"Tourists stopped at the overlook to take photos of the canyon."

How to use overlook

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither missing something by accident, deciding to let it go, or physically having a view down over an area.

Common mistake

Don't confuse "overlook" (miss/excuse) with "oversee" (supervise) — they sound similar but mean nearly opposite things in terms of attention.

Easily confused with

oversee →

Common pairings

overlook a detail overlook the harbour overlook a mistake

Word forms

overlooked past tense, overlooks plural, overlooks singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “overlook” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The editor _____ a glaring typo on the front page.

Etymology

From Middle English overloken, formed from over- + look.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

View more →

miss drop command dominate neglect omit overtop overleap pretermit leave out look out on look across

Related words

power control girl hit include miss fall lower

Rhymes for overlook

ook book look cook rook hook nook kook sook fook mook wook

See all rhymes for overlook →

Frequently asked questions

What does “overlook” mean?

The word “overlook” means to fail to notice something, or to miss it despite it being there. In plain terms, either missing something by accident, deciding to let it go, or physically having a view down over an area.

How do you pronounce “overlook”?

“Overlook” is pronounced OH-vuh-luuk (/ˈoʊ.vɚˌlʊk/ in IPA).

How do you use “overlook” in a sentence?

Here is “overlook” used in a sentence: “The editor overlooked a glaring typo on the front page.”

What part of speech is “overlook”?

Depending on how it is used, “overlook” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “overlook” come from?

The word “overlook” comes from Middle English. From Middle English overloken, formed from over- + look.

Is “overlook” a common word?

“Overlook” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “overlook” have?

“Overlook” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to fail to notice something, or to miss it despite it being there.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include overlook:

Words that end with K Words that start with O

People also searched

power control girl hit include miss fall lower