Underlook vs. Overlook — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 7, 2023
Underlook refers to the oversight of not considering something sufficiently, while Overlook involves missing something either by accident or choosing to disregard it intentionally.
Difference Between Underlook and Overlook
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Underlook and Overlook can be juxtaposed in their use and meaning. Underlook is not a commonly used term and is often not listed in dictionaries; it implies failing to consider or recognize the importance of something. Overlook, in contrast, is widely recognized and means to fail to notice something either unintentionally or to ignore something intentionally.
While Underlook suggests a lack of proper attention or failure to acknowledge something below a certain standard, Overlook refers to missing something that should have been noticed. Underlook could imply an underestimate, while Overlook could mean missing out due to an oversight or even choosing not to enforce or acknowledge something.
Underlook might be used when suggesting someone hasn’t given enough attention to details or considerations deemed less critical. Overlook generally indicates a missed detail, error, or item, often due to distraction, or it can mean to forgive or deliberately ignore faults or wrongdoings.
In situations where scrutiny is required, to Underlook would be to inadequately scrutinize, potentially leading to underestimating something. To Overlook in such a context would mean to neglect some aspects altogether, which could lead to overlooking a critical fault or detail.
Lastly, Underlook and Overlook carry different connotations; Underlook often has a neutral to negative connotation, suggesting insufficient attention, while Overlook can be neutral or even positive when it implies a deliberate choice to ignore shortcomings out of leniency or forgiveness.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Typically a verb (rarely used)
Usually a verb
Usage
Not commonly used in modern English
Widely used in various contexts
Connotation
Generally negative, suggests negligence
Can be negative (neglect) or positive (forgive)
Intention
Implies a lack of consideration
Can imply either unintentional or intentional missing
Contextual Application
Often suggests underestimation or insufficient scrutiny
Frequently means to miss something or to ignore it
Compare with Definitions
Underlook
To fail to pay sufficient attention.
They tended to underlook the significance of cultural differences in negotiation.
Overlook
Fail to notice
He seems to have overlooked one important fact
Underlook
To underestimate the complexity of a task.
It’s easy to underlook the challenge that lies ahead.
Overlook
To forgive or ignore mistakes deliberately.
She decided to overlook his past mistakes and give him a second chance.
Underlook
To ignore or disregard on purpose.
He decided to underlook the critics and proceed with his plan.
Overlook
To supervise or watch over.
As a manager, he overlooks the entire operation of the department.
Underlook
To look less favorably upon.
The jury seemed to underlook her testimony because of her background.
Overlook
Have a view of from above
The chateau overlooks fields of corn and olive trees
Underlook
To miss considering the underlying issues.
We cannot afford to underlook the environmental implications of this project.
Overlook
Supervise
He was overlooking his harvest men
Underlook
A suspicious or critical look; scowl, leer
Overlook
Bewitch with the evil eye
They told them they were overlooked by some unlucky Person
Underlook
To be suspicious or mistrustful of
Overlook
A commanding position or view
The overlook to the townsite
Underlook
To look under something
Overlook
To look over or at from a higher place
We overlooked the valley from the cliff.
Underlook
To miss because one is looking too low.
Overlook
To afford a view over
The tower overlooks the sea.
Underlook
To look intently at or into, scrutinize, inspect
Overlook
To fail to notice or consider; miss
Even the editor overlooked this error.
Underlook
To not give due worth or respect to.
Overlook
To ignore deliberately or indulgently; disregard
I'll overlook that remark if you leave now.
Overlook
To look over; examine
Overlook a manuscript for errors.
Overlook
To manage; supervise
Overlook farm hands.
Overlook
An elevated place that affords an extensive view
A scenic overlook.
Overlook
A vista or point that gives a beautiful view.
Overlook
To offer a view (of something) from a higher position.
Our hotel room overlooks the lake.
Overlook
To fail to notice; to look over and beyond (anything) without seeing it.
These errors were overlooked by the proofreaders.
Overlook
To pretend not to have noticed (something, especially a mistake or flaw); to pass over (something) without censure or punishment.
I’m not willing to overlook such bad behaviour.
Overlook
(dated) To look down upon (something) from a place that is over or above.
To overlook a valley from a hill
Overlook
(archaic) To supervise, oversee; to watch over.
To overlook a gang of laborers
To overlook one who is writing a letter
Overlook
(archaic) To observe or watch (someone or something) surreptitiously or secretly.
Overlook
(archaic) To inspect (something); to examine; to look over carefully or repeatedly.
Overlook
(archaic) To look upon with an evil eye; to bewitch by looking upon; to fascinate.
Overlook
To look down upon from a place that is over or above; to look over or view from a higher position; to be situated above, so as to command a view of; as, to overlook a valley from a hill; a hotel room that overlooks the marketplace.
[Titan] with burning eye did hotly overlook them.
Overlook
Hence: To supervise; to watch over; sometimes, to observe secretly; as, to overlook a gang of laborers; to overlook one who is writing a letter.
Overlook
To inspect; to examine; to look over carefully or repeatedly.
The time and care that are requiredTo overlook and file and polish well.
Overlook
To look upon with an evil eye; to bewitch by looking upon; to fascinate.
If you trouble me I will overlook you, and then your pigs will die.
Overlook
To look over and beyond (anything) without seeing it; to miss or omit in looking; to fail to notice; to fail to observe; as, to overlook a mistake in addition; to overlook a missing bolt.
Overlook
To refrain from bestowing notice or attention upon; to disregard or deliberately ignore; to pass over without censure or punishment; to excuse or pardon (a fault, error, or misdeed).
The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked.
They overlook truth in the judgments they pass.
The pardoning and overlooking of faults.
Overlook
A high place affording a good view
Overlook
Look past, fail to notice
Overlook
Be oriented in a certain direction;
The house looks out on a tennis court
The apartment overlooks the Hudson
Overlook
Leave undone or leave out;
How could I miss that typo?
The workers on the conveyor belt miss one out of ten
Overlook
Look down on;
The villa dominates the town
Overlook
Watch over;
I am overlooking her work
Overlook
To miss something by not noticing it.
He overlooked a critical error in the report.
Overlook
To have a view from above.
The hotel room overlooks the bustling city below.
Overlook
To omit attention to detail.
In his hurry, he overlooked the fine print in the contract.
Common Curiosities
What does "underlook" mean?
"Underlook" means to fail to consider or give adequate attention to something.
Are "underlook" and "overlook" antonyms?
Not exactly. While "underlook" suggests insufficient consideration, "overlook" typically means missing something, which could be due to a variety of reasons.
Can "overlook" have a positive connotation?
Yes, "overlook" can be positive when it refers to intentionally ignoring faults or mistakes out of forgiveness.
Can "overlook" also mean to supervise?
Yes, "overlook" can mean to supervise or monitor something or someone.
What part of speech is "overlook"?
"Overlook" is primarily used as a verb.
What part of speech is "underlook"?
"Underlook" is used as a verb.
Is "underlook" commonly used in American English?
No, "underlook" is rarely used and is not commonly found in modern dictionaries.
Is "underlook" a formal word?
"Underlook" is not commonly used, so it doesn't have a formal or informal classification.
Can "overlook" be both deliberate and accidental?
Yes, "overlook" can describe both unintentional missing of something or a deliberate decision to ignore.
Does "underlook" imply intention?
"Underlook" generally suggests a lack of attention, which may or may not be intentional.
How is "overlook" used in the context of a mistake?
"Overlook" can mean to fail to notice a mistake or to choose not to criticize or punish for it.
Is there a noun form of "underlook"?
There is no widely recognized noun form of "underlook."
Can "overlook" mean to have a physical view from above?
Yes, "overlook" can describe having a view over something from a higher position.
Can "underlook" be used in professional settings?
While rare, "underlook" could be used in professional settings to describe insufficient attention to detail.
Is it correct to use "underlooked" as a past tense verb?
Although uncommon, "underlooked" could be used as the past tense of "underlook" following regular verb conjugation rules.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
