supervise
gb/sˈupɚvˌaɪz/ us/sˈupɚvˌaɪz/
B2
English
~ 5100
felügyel, irányít, vigyáz, felügyeletet gyakorol
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to supervise [someone]/[something]
She supervises a team of ten engineers in the research department.
A kutatási osztályon egy tízfős mérnökcsapat munkáját irányítja.
The construction site must be supervised by a qualified architect at all times.
Az építési területet folyamatosan szakképzett építésznek kell felügyelnie.
As a shift leader, he supervises the evening staff and handles customer complaints.
The company hired an external consultant to supervise the project.
New employees are closely supervised during their first few weeks.
Learner examples
My job is to supervise the sales staff.
Az a feladatom, hogy felügyeljem az értékesítési munkatársak munkáját.
The teacher supervises the students while they work in groups.
A tanár felügyeli a diákokat, miközben csoportokban dolgoznak.
A manager should supervise the work and give feedback.
He was hired to supervise the new project.
Two nurses supervise the team in this hospital unit.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"supervise to"* as in *"He supervises to the workers"*. The correct pattern is *"supervise [someone]/[something]"*, for example, *"He supervises the workers"*. Another confusion is with *"survey"*; *"survey"* means to ask questions or measure an area, while *"supervise"* means to be in charge of people or work.
Meaning
Manage and direct people’s work
Collocations
supervise staff
|supervise employees
|supervise a team
|supervise a project
|supervise operations
|supervise production
Synonyms
oversee (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal and often used for larger projects or processes.)
|
manage (Focuses more on planning and organizing, not only watching the work being done.)
|
direct (Emphasizes giving instructions and guiding actions more than checking details.)
Antonyms
neglect (Suggests failing to give needed attention or care to people or work.)
|
ignore (Actively not paying attention to people or their work.)
Themes
work
|business
|education
Definition
to be in charge of people and their work, and to make sure they do it correctly
To be responsible for and direct the work or activities of other people to make sure tasks are done correctly and efficiently.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to supervise [children]/[people]/[an activity]
Children must be supervised at all times while in the pool area.
A medence területén a gyerekekre folyamatosan felügyelni kell.
A prison officer supervised the prisoners during their outdoor exercise.
Egy börtönőr felügyelte a fogvatartottakat a szabad levegőn végzett testmozgásuk alatt.
Volunteers supervise the children’s activities at the summer camp.
Visitors to the lab must be supervised for safety reasons.
The social worker supervised the family visit in the playroom.
Learner examples
An adult should supervise young children in the park.
Egy felnőttnek felügyelnie kell a kisgyerekekre a parkban.
The lifeguard supervises the people in the water.
A vízimentő felügyeli a vízben lévőket.
Parents must supervise their kids near the road.
Nurses supervise patients who might fall.
The coach supervises the players during practice.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *"supervise"* with *"babysit"*. *"Babysit"* is usually for taking care of a child for a short time, often in a home. *"Supervise"* focuses on watching and controlling behavior or safety in many situations, not just children.
Meaning
Watch people to keep them safe
Collocations
supervise children
|supervise playtime
|supervise visits
|supervise offenders
|supervise patients
Synonyms
monitor (Suggests ongoing observation, often for safety or rule‑keeping, sometimes using equipment.)
|
watch over (More informal and caring; suggests protection as well as control.)
Antonyms
leave unsupervised (Means not having any responsible person watching or in control.)
Themes
family
|safety
|law
|daily_life
|education
Definition
to watch people closely so they stay safe or follow rules
To watch people carefully in order to keep them safe, well‑behaved, or under control.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
to supervise [an exam]/[a procedure]/[a process]
Two senior teachers will supervise the final exam tomorrow.
Két tapasztalt tanár felügyeli majd holnap a záróvizsgát.
International observers were sent to supervise the national elections.
Nemzetközi megfigyelőket küldtek az országos választások felügyeletére.
A committee was formed to supervise the implementation of the new policy.
The ethics board must supervise all clinical trials conducted at the hospital.
Regulators will supervise the bank’s restructuring process.
Learner examples
Three teachers supervise the exam in the big hall.
Három tanár felügyel a vizsgán a nagyteremben.
International groups came to supervise the voting.
Nemzetközi csoportok érkeztek, hogy felügyeljék a szavazást.
A professor supervises the research project.
Doctors carefully supervise this medical test.
The government agency will supervise the new program.
Common mistake:
Learners may use *"control"* instead of *"supervise"*, for example *"control the exam"*. In this context, *"supervise the exam"* or in British English *"invigilate the exam"* is the natural phrase.
Meaning
Oversee a formal process or event
Collocations
supervise an exam
|supervise elections
|supervise a procedure
|supervise research
|supervise a test
|supervise an experiment
Synonyms
oversee (Common in formal writing for controlling or checking that official procedures are followed.)
|
invigilate (Technical term, mainly British English, used specifically for supervising exams.)
Antonyms
conduct unsupervised (Describes a process or event taking place without any official person in charge to enforce rules.)
Themes
education
|law
|science
|business
|work
Definition
to be officially in charge while an exam, test, research, or other important activity happens, and to make sure the rules are followed
To be officially responsible for overseeing a formal process, event, or activity to ensure that rules and standards are followed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
supervise
IPA
GB/sˈupɚvˌaɪz/
US/sˈupɚvˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
su - per - vise (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (su)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: supervise
- 3rd Person Singular: supervises
- Present Participle: supervising
- Past: supervised
Word family
Forms
supervises
verb
supervising
verb
supervised
verb
Core family
Related words
supervisee
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unsupervised
adjective B2
Expressions
close supervision
1/klˈoʊs sˌupɚvˈɪʒən/
fixed phrase
Very careful and frequent supervision
supervision where someone watches very carefully and checks often
Examples
- The patient needs close supervision for the next 24 hours.
- Inexperienced workers require close supervision on this type of machine.
- The project was completed on time thanks to close supervision from management.
direct supervision
1/dɪɹˈɛkt sˌupɚvˈɪʒən/
fixed phrase
Supervision done in person and directly
supervision where the person in charge is there in person and watches the work directly
Examples
- Trainees must work under direct supervision for the first six months.
- The animals can only be handled under direct supervision of a zookeeper.
- The law requires direct supervision when controlled drugs are given to patients.
in a supervisory role
1/ˈɪn ə sˌupɚvˈaɪzɚi ɹˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
formal
Having a job where you supervise
having a position at work where part of your job is to supervise other people
Examples
- She has worked in a supervisory role for more than ten years.
- Candidates with experience in a supervisory role will be given preference.
- This training program is designed for employees moving into supervisory roles.
under supervision
1/ˈʌndɚ sˌupɚvˈɪʒən/
fixed phrase
being watched by authority
Being watched and checked by a person in charge.
Examples
- The prisoner is allowed to work outside the cell, but only under supervision.
- All experiments with animals must be carried out under supervision.
under supervision
2/ˈʌndɚ sˌupɚvˈɪʒən/
fixed phrase
While being watched by someone in charge
with a responsible person watching and checking what you do
Examples
- New staff must work under supervision for the first month.
- The experiment was carried out under the supervision of a senior scientist.
- Children are only allowed in the workshop under adult supervision.