Word
supervise
Phoneticssu·per·vise, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsupɝˌvaɪz/
UK/sˈuːpəvˌaɪz/
Definitions
01to oversee people or work
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to watch a person or activity to make sure that everything is done correctly, safely, or according to the rules.
v. to oversee the performance or operation of a person, group, or project to ensure compliance with standards or instructions.
Español:supervisar
“A senior doctor will supervise the students while they work with patients.”
“The project manager was hired specifically to supervise the construction site and ensure that all safety protocols were strictly followed by the subcontractors.”
Usage
Often used with a direct object representing the person or the activity being watched.
02to read or look over
C2 · Proficiency Archaic
v. to look over something carefully in order to read it.
v. to peruse or look over a document or text. This sense is no longer used in modern English.
“The scholar sat in the library to supervise the ancient letters.”
“In the old manuscript, the clerk was instructed to supervise the accounts before they were sent to the king.”
Teaching tip
This sense is obsolete; modern speakers only use 'supervise' to mean 'oversee' or 'manage'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “supervise” in context.
Verb
01. carefully supervise the children
“Lifeguards must carefully supervise the children while they are in the deep end of the pool.”
adv + verb + noun
02. supervise the installation of equipment
“A qualified engineer was hired to supervise the installation of the new laboratory equipment.”
verb + noun + of + noun
03. supervise the transition to digital
“The consultant was brought in to supervise the transition to digital.”
verb + noun + prep + adj
04. supervise the work of others
“As a department head, you are expected to supervise the work of others effectively.”
verb + noun + of + noun
Adverb
05. closely supervise the construction
“The site manager must closely supervise the construction to ensure all safety protocols are followed.”
adv + verb + noun
06. directly supervise a team
“She was promoted to a senior role where she will directly supervise a team of ten researchers.”
adv + verb + noun
07. loosely supervise the project
“The professor prefers to loosely supervise the project, allowing students to explore their own ideas.”
adv + verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“The Federal Reserve plans to overhaul how it supervises US banks, restructuring its model with a new one that will be more accountable to Washington, the central bank's top regulatory official said on Tuesday.” “They're asked to perform complex analyses, supervise and coach junior staff members and to liaise with the executive team, with the client, with the support team.” “With the authorities “supervising their wage bill”, Monaco have made savings this summer.” “Parents who choose to supervise their child's account will be able to see who they message and the topics they have said they are interested in - though they will not be able to view the content of messages.” Etymology
Borrowed from Medieval Latin supervisus, from supervidere, from Latin super + videre. Doublet of survey.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/supervise
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0