Meaning & use
overlooks
Last updated
“overlooks” is a form of “overlook”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
fails to notice or consider something important
Grammar: Takes an object: 'She overlooks the details.'
Patterns
- overlook something
- overlook the fact that ...
The editor often overlooks small spelling mistakes when she is in a hurry.
He overlooks the fact that his team needs more training.
verbtransitive
has a view of something from above
Grammar: Takes an object, often a place: 'The hotel overlooks the bay.'
Patterns
- overlook something
- overlook a place
Our apartment overlooks a quiet park.
The castle overlooks the whole valley.
verbtransitive
forgives or ignores someone's mistake or bad behavior
Grammar: Takes an object; often used in the phrase 'overlook a fault'.
Patterns
- overlook something
- overlook someone's mistake
A good manager overlooks minor errors and focuses on results.
She overlooked his rudeness because he was under stress.
Word forms
| base form | overlook |
|---|---|
| third-person singular | overlooks |
| past tense | overlooked |
| past participle | overlooked |
| -ing form | overlooking |
Common combinations
- overlook a mistake
- Teachers sometimes overlook a mistake when the meaning is clear.
- overlook the fact
- We overlooked the fact that the store closes early on Sundays.
- overlook a view
- The balcony overlooks a beautiful view of the mountains.
- easily overlooked
- This detail is easily overlooked but very important.
Synonyms and how they differ
- miss
- Miss means to fail to see or notice something; overlook often suggests not paying attention, while miss can be accidental.
- ignore
- Ignore means to deliberately pay no attention; overlook can be accidental or deliberate forgiveness.
- forgive
- Forgive is stronger and more personal; overlook is lighter and often used for small faults.
Opposites
Word family
- overlooked adjective
- Not noticed or considered.
- overlooking adjective
- Having a view over something.
Commonly confused: overlooks or over look?
overlooks vs over look
This is not a standard phrase; the verb is one word: 'overlook'.
Practice
The new manager often ______ the importance of clear communication.
Choose one answer.
The subject 'manager' is third-person singular and the tense is present, so 'overlooks' is correct. 'Overlook' would be used with I/you/we/they; 'overlooking' needs a helping verb; 'overlooked' is past tense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “overlooks”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.