Overlook
/ˌoʊvərˈlʊk/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo fail to notice or consider something; to disregard.
/ˌoʊvərˈlʊk/
To fail to notice or consider.
He overlooked several important clues.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're reading a story and you miss a little piece of information that's really important. That means you 'overlooked' it – you didn't see it!
👶 For kids: When you overlook something, it's like when you don't see something important, like a toy under your bed.
More Examples
I'm sorry, I overlooked your email.
The teacher overlooked the students' minor misbehavior.
How It's Used
"The examiner overlooked a crucial detail in the report."
"We can't overlook the potential impact of this decision."
To have a view of something from a higher position.
/ˌoʊvərˈlʊk/
To have a view of something from above.
Our apartment overlooks the park.
💡 Simply: Imagine your house is on a hill. The view from your window lets you see everything below. That view 'overlooks' the town!
👶 For kids: When your window overlooks something, it means you can see it from up high, like looking down on a park.
More Examples
The castle overlooks the valley.
The bridge overlooks a river.
How It's Used
"The balcony overlooks the city."
"The hotel room overlooked the ocean."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
overlook the small things
To focus on the bigger picture and not get bogged down by minor issues.
"In our team's success, we must overlook the small things like occasional disagreements and focus on our shared goal."
overlook a mistake
To disregard or forgive a mistake.
"The teacher was willing to overlook a mistake by the student and give him another chance."
From Middle English *overloken*, from Old English *oferlūcan* ('to look over, inspect, survey'). The prefix 'over-' indicates above or across.
Used since the 14th century, originally with a meaning related to looking at something from above, and gradually expanding to include the sense of failing to notice.
Memory tip
Imagine a lookout on a ship. If he's 'overlooking' something, he's failing to see it.