overlooked
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˌoʊvərˈlʊkt/
KK: /ˈoʊvərˌlʊkt/
adjective
Definition
Not noticed or considered; something that has been missed or ignored.
Example
The overlooked details in the report led to several mistakes.
Conversation
I think some of the best points in your essay were overlooked by the professor.
Really? I thought I covered everything important.
Yeah, like that unique perspective on the topic that was so insightful.
I guess it's easy for good ideas to be overlooked when there’s so much to read.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
ignored
unnoticed
disregarded
Antonyms
noticed
acknowledged
recognized
verb
Definition
To fail to notice or consider something important.
Example
She overlooked the mistake in her report and had to correct it later.
Tense Forms
Past: overlooked
Past Participle: overlooked
Conversation
I think I overlooked an important detail in my report.
What detail did you miss?
I forgot to mention the deadline for the project.
Root Explanation
Overlooked → It is formed from "over-" (meaning above or beyond) and "look" (from Old English "locian", meaning to see or observe) and the suffix "-ed" (indicating a past action). The word "overlooked" means to have failed to notice something that was seen or observed from above or beyond.
Memory Tip
Think of something that was 'seen from above' ('over-') but was 'not noticed' ('look') — that's why overlooked means something that was missed.
Visually Confused Words
unoverlooked