oversee

verb

USoh-vur-SEE/ˌoʊ.vɚˈsi/Sayoh-vuh-SEEUK/ˌəʊ.vəˈsiː/AUS/ˌəʉ.vəˈsiː/

Formsoversees, overseeing, oversaw, overseen

5 meanings of oversee

1
verbfigurativelytransitive
To watch over and direct the work of a person or group.
Like a coach watching over a team and telling each player what to do.
She oversees a team of twelve nurses at the clinic.
I oversee the kitchen staff during busy weekends.
Similarsupervise, manage, direct, superintend
Note
2
verbtransitive
To look closely at something to check it is correct or in good condition.
Like checking each apple in a basket to find the bad ones.
The mechanic oversaw the engine before approving the repair.
Please oversee each box to make sure nothing is broken.
Similarinspect, examine, check, scrutinize
3
verbtransitive
To look out over a wide area and take in the whole view.
Like standing on a hill and seeing all the houses below at once.
From the tower, guards oversee the whole valley.
She oversaw the crowd from the balcony, scanning for her friend.
Similarsurvey, overlook, watch, scan
Note
4
verbtransitive
To see or hear something by accident, without being noticed.
Like noticing a secret from across the room without anyone knowing you saw.
She oversaw the two of them whispering behind the door.
I happened to oversee the note left on his desk.
Similarobserve, witness, glimpse, spot

Less common meaning

5
verbobsoletetransitive
To fail to notice something, or to leave it out by mistake.
Thereat the Elfe did blush in priuitee, / And turnd his face away; but she the same / Dissembled faire, and faynd to ouersee.
1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneHere, ouersee means not notice, so she pretended not to see it.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From an Old English word ofersēon, made of over- and see.