ENGLISH
REFERENCE

overlooks

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈoʊvɝˌɫʊks// UK //ˌəʊvəlˈʊks// over·looks

v. to have a view of something from a higher position. It can also mean to fail to notice something or to choose to ignore a mistake.

v. to provide a view from above; alternatively, to fail to notice or to deliberately ignore a fault or error. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

Our hotel room overlooks the beautiful blue ocean.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager decided to overlook the minor error in the report because the overall project was a success.

COMPLEX

While the penthouse overlooks the entire city skyline, the architect warned that residents might overlook the subtle structural flaws in the older building's foundation.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. When meaning 'to fail to notice', it is often used in the passive voice.

Pitfall

The window overlooks to the gardenThe window overlooks the gardenOverlook is a transitive verb and does not require a preposition like 'to' or 'at' before the object.

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