overseer
gb/ˈoʊvɚsˈiɚ/ us/ˈoʊvɚsˈiɚ/
C1
English
felügyelő, ültetvényfelügyelő, felvigyázó, püspök
NOUN
C1
1
felügyelő
B2
Usage pattern:
an overseer (of/for) [workplace/activity]
The overseer walked the floor every hour to check on progress.
A felügyelő óránként körbejárta a munkaterületet, hogy ellenőrizze a haladást.
A safety overseer was assigned to the project after the inspection.
Az ellenőrzés után biztonsági felügyelőt rendeltek a projekthez.
If you have questions about your shift, ask the overseer.
Learner examples
The overseer checks our work.
A felügyelő ellenőrzi a munkánkat.
She is an overseer at the factory.
Ő felügyelő a gyárban.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse overseer with owner; an overseer supervises but does not necessarily own the business.
Meaning
person who supervises work
Collocations
an overseer of operations
|an overseer on the night shift
|a production overseer
|a farm overseer
|a building-site overseer
|to hire an overseer
|to appoint an overseer
|an overseer supervises workers
|an overseer ensures compliance
|under an overseer's supervision
Synonyms
supervisor (More common and neutral in modern workplaces.)
|
foreman (Often used for a leader of a manual or construction crew.)
|
manager (Usually has broader responsibility than simply watching work.)
Antonyms
worker (Does the work rather than supervising it.)
|
subordinate (Has less authority and reports to an overseer or supervisor.)
Themes
work
|business
|management
Definition
A person who is in charge of workers and checks their work.
A person whose job is to watch over and direct other people’s work, especially to make sure it is done correctly and efficiently.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
a plantation overseer
The novel portrays the overseer as a symbol of the plantation’s violence.
A regény az ültetvényfelügyelőt az ültetvényen uralkodó erőszak jelképének ábrázolja.
Enslaved people were forced to work under the overseer’s constant watch.
A rabszolgasorban tartott embereket az ültetvényfelügyelő állandó felügyelete alatt dolgoztatták.
Historians note that some overseers were hired employees rather than owners.
Learner examples
In the story, the overseer is cruel.
A történetben az ültetvényfelügyelő kegyetlen.
The overseer watches the workers in the fields.
Az ültetvényfelügyelő a földeken dolgozó embereket figyeli.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this meaning is strongly tied to slavery and is mainly used in historical discussion.
Meaning
plantation work supervisor (historical)
Collocations
plantation overseer
|the overseer's orders
|an overseer with a whip
|under the overseer's control
|to report to the overseer
|the overseer’s cabin
|overseer brutality
|overseer and owner
|field hands and the overseer
|the overseer enforced rules
Synonyms
slave driver (More explicitly emphasizes coercion; often used as a condemnation.)
Antonyms
abolitionist (Opposed slavery and the plantation system associated with overseers.)
Themes
history
|society
|work
Definition
In history, a person who controlled workers on a plantation, often enslaved people.
A person employed to manage and supervise enslaved or forced labor on a plantation, especially in the historical American South.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
3
felvigyázó
C1
püspök
B2
Usage pattern:
an overseer of [church/region]
The congregation invited an overseer to guide the new leadership team.
A gyülekezet meghívott egy felvigyázót, hogy segítse az új vezetői csoport munkáját.
In some translations, the term 'overseer' is used for a church leader.
Néhány fordításban az „overseer” kifejezést egy egyházi vezető megnevezésére használják.
She met with the regional overseer to discuss staffing and training.
Learner examples
The overseer leads the church.
A felvigyázó vezeti a gyülekezetet.
He spoke with the overseer after the service.
Az istentisztelet után beszélt a felvigyázóval.
Common mistake:
Learners may assume this is the usual word for 'bishop'; in general English, bishop is more common.
Meaning
church official who supervises
Collocations
church overseer
|spiritual overseer
|an overseer of the congregation
|to appoint an overseer
|an overseer’s duties
|regional overseer
|overseers and elders
|the role of overseer
Synonyms
bishop (More common term; often a specific rank in established churches.)
|
church leader (Broader and less specific.)
Antonyms
layperson (A regular church member without official leadership responsibility.)
Themes
religion
|community
Definition
In some churches, a leader who supervises other church workers.
A person in some Christian traditions who has responsibility for supervising a church or group of churches; sometimes used as another term for a bishop.
Grammar
Dictionary form
overseer
IPA
GB/ˈoʊvɚsˈiɚ/
US/ˈoʊvɚsˈiɚ/
Syllables & stress
over - seer (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (over)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: overseer
- Plural: overseers
Word family
Forms
overseers
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unsupervised
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
supervisory
adjective B2
Expressions
board of overseers
1/bˈɔɹd əv ˌoʊvɚsˈiɚz/
fixed phrase
formal
governing group that oversees
A group of people who help manage and check an institution.
Examples
- The proposal will be reviewed by the Board of Overseers next month.
- She was elected to the Board of Overseers of the university.
- The Board of Overseers issued a statement on governance reforms.
Learner examples
- The Board of Overseers meets twice a year.
overseer of the poor
1/ˈoʊvɚsˈiɚ əv ðə pˈʊɹ/
fixed phrase
archaic
official managing poor relief
In the past, an official who organized help for poor people.
Examples
- In the records, he is listed as an overseer of the poor for the parish.
- The overseer of the poor decided who would receive relief.
- The law expanded the duties of overseers of the poor in the 1800s.