overlook

/ˈoʊvərˌlʊk/

Other forms: overlooked; overlooking; overlooks

To overlook something is to fail to see it. When planning a party, it's best to write out a to-do list so that you don't overlook any details.

The verb overlook literally means to look over the top of. The word has come to refer to the act of neglecting something, usually because your focus is aimed elsewhere. You might overlook the cost of car insurance if you’re busy calculating the cost of buying the car and paying for gas and parking. As a noun, an overlook is a space high above ground. You might overlook your curfew if you're busy enjoying an overlook with your date.

Definitions of overlook

1. verb

   look down on
   synonyms: command, dominate, overtop

   types:

   dwarf, overshadow, shadow

   make appear small by comparison

   type of:

   lie

   be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
2. verb

   be oriented in a certain direction
   “The apartment overlooks the Hudson”

   synonyms: look across, look out on, look out over

   type of:

   lie

   be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
3. verb

   watch over
   “I am overlooking her work”

   type of:

   survey

   look over carefully or inspect
4. noun

   a high place affording a good view
   type of:

   place, spot, topographic point

   a point located with respect to surface features of some region
5. verb

   look past, fail to notice
   type of:

   lose, miss

   fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
6. verb

   leave undone or leave out
   synonyms: drop, leave out, miss, neglect, omit, overleap, pretermit

   types:

   forget

   forget to do something

   jump, pass over, skip, skip over

   bypass