oversee
oh-vuh-SEE
Oversee (verb) means to supervise or take responsibility for a person, project, or process. Example: “She oversees the entire marketing department.”
verb
1
To supervise or take responsibility for a person, project, or process.
"She oversees the entire marketing department."
"A senior nurse oversees the night shift on the children's ward."
"Who will oversee the move to the new office next month?"
2
To inspect or examine something closely.
"An inspector was sent to oversee the building work."
"Gamekeepers oversee a hunting ground to see to the wildlife's welfare and look for poachers."
How to use oversee
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo keep watch over and take responsibility for how something is run.
Common mistake
Don't mix up with "overlook" — "oversee" means to actively supervise, while "overlook" usually means to miss or excuse something.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
oversee a project
oversee operations
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- oversees
- Past tense
- oversaw, overseen
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the entire marketing department.
Etymology
From Old English ofersēon, built from over- + see.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for oversee
See all rhymes for oversee →Frequently asked questions
What does “oversee” mean?
The word “oversee” means to supervise or take responsibility for a person, project, or process. In plain terms, to keep watch over and take responsibility for how something is run.
How do you pronounce “oversee”?
“Oversee” is pronounced oh-vuh-SEE (/ˌoʊ.vɚˈsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “oversee” in a sentence?
Here is “oversee” used in a sentence: “She oversees the entire marketing department.”
What part of speech is “oversee”?
“Oversee” is a verb.
Where does the word “oversee” come from?
The word “oversee” comes from Old English. From Old English ofersēon, built from over- + see.
Is “oversee” a common word?
“Oversee” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “oversee” have?
“Oversee” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to supervise or take responsibility for a person, project, or process.
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