overlook

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'overlook' is correct and usable in written English.
It has multiple meanings, depending on how it is used in a sentence. You can use 'overlook' as a verb to mean 'to fail to notice or take notice of something' (e.g. "He overlooked the mistake in the report.") or 'to watch over something' (e.g. "The guard was overlooking the premises."). You can also use 'overlook' as a noun to mean 'a place with a nice view' (e.g. "The mountain overlook had a stunning view of the valley below."). Example sentence: "He overlooked the typo in the report, but his supervisor noticed it right away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All the restaurants overlook the pool and private cove, and from there pretty walkways lead to the rooms, all of which look out on to the lagoon and the ocean beyond.

The Guardian - Travel

Happily, Football Focus's charming anchor, Dan Walker, is willing to overlook my sporting ignorance when he joins me for a chat and a biscuit in one of several BBC outside broadcast trucks situated in Villa's car park.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Despite the replacements' solid play, it's impossible to overlook RSL's level of opposition.

The Guardian - Sport

Officials at the Inland Revenue were reportedly ordered to overlook irregularities in claims for tax credits in order to boost take-up of the flagship scheme.

The Guardian - Money

All but one of the 20 rooms overlook the Med from their geranium-fringed balconies.

The Guardian - Travel

First-round opponent: [Q] Lourdes Dominguez Lino (ESP) McHale is so quiet that it's to overlook both her struggles the last couple of seasons and her recent uptick in form.

The Guardian - Sport

The "ugly caterpillars", as some Mumbaikars call them, block views from houses that overlook the skywalk and impinge on their privacy.

The Guardian

"He does not openly support jihadism, of course, but does attack its critics and rationalise or wilfully overlook some of its excesses.

The Guardian

She was served by the most formidable spin machine we have seen and aided by outriders who were happy to overlook the ruinous effect of many of her policies because they admired her style and ideology.

The Guardian - Opinion

Balconies overlook the sea, with beaches and the streets of Galle a short walk away.

The Guardian - Travel

Carr strongly rejected the suggestion of bigotry: "I have been historically a very strong friend of Israel … To say I am a bigot really does overlook my association with Jewish causes over the years … To throw around the word 'bigot' means that when there is a genuine case of bigotry the description rings less true".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overlook", ensure the context clarifies whether you mean 'fail to notice' or 'have a view of' to avoid ambiguity. Consider rewording if clarity is crucial.

Common error

A common mistake is using "overlook" without providing enough context, leading to confusion between its meanings of 'failing to notice' and 'providing a view'. Always clarify which meaning is intended.

Linguistic Context

The word "overlook" primarily functions as a verb, indicating either failing to notice something or having a view from above. Ludwig highlights numerous examples of both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Travel

20%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "overlook" is a versatile term with two primary meanings: to fail to notice something or to have a view from above. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, as shown by the numerous examples from reputable sources like The Guardian and The Economist. Understanding its dual nature is key to using it effectively. When writing, ensure the context clarifies which meaning you intend, as ambiguity can lead to confusion. While "overlook" is generally neutral, its precise application depends on understanding the specific situation. Related terms like "ignore" and "miss" offer alternatives for 'failing to notice', while 'command a view of' captures the sense of having a high vantage point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ignore

A general term for not paying attention to something.

fail to notice

Focuses specifically on the failure to perceive something, rather than a deliberate choice to ignore it.

disregard

Implies a conscious decision to ignore or pay no attention to something.

neglect

Emphasizes a lack of care or attention to something.

miss

Highlights the act of failing to see or understand something.

pass over

Implies choosing to ignore or skip something.

turn a blind eye

Suggests a deliberate decision to ignore something that one knows is wrong or inappropriate.

take no notice of

Emphasizes the act of not paying attention to something.

oversee

Implies a supervisory role, watching over something, which is related to one of the meanings of "overlook".

command a view of

Specifically refers to the ability to see something from a high position, emphasizing the visual aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "overlook" in a sentence?

"Overlook" can mean to fail to notice something, as in, "I "overlook" errors when I'm tired". It can also mean to have a view of something from above, as in, "The balcony "overlook" the ocean".

What's the difference between "overlook" and "ignore"?

"Overlook" suggests failing to notice something, while "ignore" implies a conscious decision to disregard something even when it's noticed.

What can I say instead of "overlook" when I mean to 'fail to notice'?

You can use alternatives like "miss", "neglect", or "fail to notice" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say a house "overlook" a lake?

Yes, it is correct. In this context, "overlook" means the house has a view of the lake, especially from a higher position. For example "Many rooms in the hotel "overlook" the lake".