Words / B2

ohv-uh-SEE/ˌəʊvəˈsiː/

To oversee is to supervise a process: oversee a project, oversee the count. Supervise is a close twin; manage can include hiring and budgets as well as watching. Oversight is the noun — but oversight also means a mistake (a regrettable double meaning). In speech, be in charge of / keep an eye on is enough. Do not confuse oversee with overlook (fail to notice / have a view over), a high-frequency exam trap.

Meaning

To watch work or a process to make sure it is done properly.

Examples

• “A senior editor will oversee the election coverage.”
• “A QC will oversee the inquiry so that parties cannot claim bias.”
• “She oversees marking, but she does not write every script, which is supervision, not doing all the work.”

Good to know

oversee a process/project. Close: supervise. Noun: oversight (also = a mistake). Mix-up: overlook = fail to notice / look over a view.

Near in meaning

supervise

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