noun

oversight

/ˈoʊvərˌsaɪt/ · say it: OH·vur·syt

supervision to ensure rules are followed

In From the Front Page

In more detail

1. (noun) a mistake made because you forgot or did not notice something

2. (noun) the act of watching over or supervising something carefully

Examples

1. It was an oversight that I forgot to include your name on the list.
2. The committee has oversight of the company's finances.

How to use oversight

Oversight has two distinct meanings that are opposite in implication: either a careless mistake/neglect (meaning 1) or responsible supervision and control (meaning 2). Context makes the intended sense clear. Meaning 1 is more common in everyday speech, while meaning 2 is frequent in institutional and political contexts. The word carries no negative connotation in sense 2.

Common phrases

serious oversight
an oversight on my part
due oversight
oversight committee
oversight body

Synonyms

omission · lapse · failure to notice · supervision · monitoring

Word family

oversee · overseer · overlooked

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse the two opposite meanings of oversight; clarify from context whether you mean 'a mistake' or 'supervision.'

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