Overlook Meaning
Overlook Definition & Usage
To fail to notice or pay attention to something, often unintentionally or due to oversight.
Examples
- "I overlooked the fact that the meeting was moved to another room."
- "She overlooked the importance of following up with the client."
- "Don't overlook the small details—they can make a big difference."
- "The team overlooked some key factors in their analysis."
- "The report was full of errors because the editor overlooked several sections."
To have a direct view over something from a higher position or location.
Examples
- "The balcony overlooks the beautiful garden."
- "Our hotel room overlooks the ocean, so we can watch the sunrise every morning."
- "The tower overlooks the entire city, offering a stunning panoramic view."
- "The restaurant is on the top floor and overlooks the bustling streets below."
- "She sat on the hill, overlooking the valley as the sun set."
Cultural Context
The word 'overlook' has two primary meanings: one related to missing something due to inattention, and the other related to having a view over something. The first sense often implies a lapse in attention or a mistake, while the second is more about vantage points and perspective. Both meanings are common in daily English usage, especially in business, personal interactions, and descriptions of views or landscapes.
The Overlooked View
Story
The Overlooked View
Sophie stood at the edge of the hill, overlooking the vast valley below. The sun was just beginning to set, casting a golden hue across the landscape. For a moment, she marveled at the beauty of the scene. But then, her mind wandered to the day's events. She had overlooked the details of her presentation and missed a critical deadline, and now she was faced with the consequences. As the warm breeze swept past her, Sophie sighed. She realized that sometimes, it wasn't just the big things that mattered, but the little details we often overlook that can change everything. Her friend Ethan walked up behind her, breaking her train of thought. 'Hey, you okay?' he asked, noticing the frown on her face. Sophie nodded, forcing a smile. 'Yeah, just thinking about a few things. It's hard not to overlook what you need to get right when you're distracted by everything else.' Ethan chuckled. 'Well, there's no overlooking this view.' He gestured to the valley. 'This is one thing you definitely can't miss.' Sophie turned to him, her smile becoming more genuine. 'You’re right,' she said, taking in the view one more time. It was a beautiful reminder that sometimes, stepping back and seeing the bigger picture could help put everything into perspective. Maybe she hadn’t overlooked it all after all. As the night descended, Sophie and Ethan sat down on the hill, watching the stars emerge in the darkening sky. For once, Sophie felt at peace, realizing that sometimes we need to pause and truly see what's in front of us before we miss it altogether.
