supervision
gb/sˌupɚvˈɪʒən/ us/sˌupɚvˈɪʒən/
B2
English
~ 6300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
action
1
oversight of people or activities
The act of watching and checking people or work to make sure everything is done well and safely.
Usage pattern:
under the supervision of [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the noun "supervision" with the verb "supervise" and say *"He supervisions the team"* instead of "He supervises the team". Another mistake is using it like a countable object, e.g. *"I have a supervision with my boss"* in general work contexts, where "a meeting" or "a review" is more natural. Also, some learners mix it up with "survey" or "inspection"; "supervision" is ongoing watching and guidance, not just a one-time check.
Synonyms
oversight (Very close in meaning, but can also refer to general responsibility at a higher level, not just active watching.)
|
monitoring (Focuses more on watching and checking, with less idea of giving instructions or guidance.)
|
management (Emphasizes organizing and leading people or work, not only watching for safety or correctness.)
Antonyms
neglect (Opposite because it means not giving the needed attention or care.)
|
autonomy (Opposite in that it means working independently without being closely watched or directed.)
Collocations
under supervision
|close supervision
|direct supervision
|parental supervision
|constant supervision
|lack of supervision
Themes
work
|education
|law
|family
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Children must be kept under adult supervision at the swimming pool.
- The new employees are still working under close supervision until they learn the procedures.
- Due to safety concerns, all construction work will continue under the supervision of a qualified engineer.
- The lab requires strict supervision when students handle chemicals.
- Poor supervision at the factory led to several serious accidents.
Learner examples
- The kids can play outside only with adult supervision.
- New staff work under the supervision of a manager.
- Because of the risk, this machine needs careful supervision.
- Without good supervision, the workers made many mistakes.
- He left the child at home without any supervision.
unknown
technical
C1
action
2
structured guidance for professionals
Regular meetings where a more experienced professional guides and checks the work of a less experienced professional, especially in jobs like counseling or social work.
Usage pattern:
receive supervision from [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this is a specialized, technical use and try to use "supervision" in everyday jobs where "training" or "coaching" is more natural. Some also think "clinical supervision" means watching a medical operation, but in psychology and counseling it mainly means guided discussion about cases, not physically watching the work.
Synonyms
mentoring (Similar, but often broader and less formal; may focus more on career advice than checking specific professional practice.)
|
consultation (Usually a one-time or occasional discussion, not an ongoing structured relationship like formal supervision.)
Antonyms
unsupervised practice (Describes working alone without the guided support that professional supervision provides.)
Collocations
clinical supervision
|professional supervision
|receive supervision
|supervision session
|group supervision
|supervision meeting
Themes
psychology
|education
|work
|health
Examples
- All trainee therapists must attend weekly clinical supervision throughout their training.
- In social work, regular supervision helps practitioners reflect on difficult cases and avoid burnout.
- Newly qualified teachers receive professional supervision during their first year in the classroom.
- Her supervision focuses on ethical issues and maintaining clear boundaries with clients.
- The hospital requires documented supervision hours before nurses can work independently in the intensive care unit.
Learner examples
- Trainee counselors have supervision every week.
- During supervision, she talks about her cases with a senior therapist.
- He needs more hours of clinical supervision before he can get his license.
- Group supervision lets young social workers share their problems at work.
- In many countries, teachers get supervision in their first year of work.
Grammar
Dictionary form
supervision
IPA
GB/sˌupɚvˈɪʒən/
US/sˌupɚvˈɪʒən/
Syllables & stress
su - per - vi - sion (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (per)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: supervision
- Plural: supervision, supervisions
Word family
Forms
supervisions
noun
Core family
supervise
verb B2
supervisor
noun B1
Related words
supervisory
adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
unsupervised
adjective B2
Expressions
in need of supervision
1/ˈɪn nˈid əv sˌupɚvˈɪʒən/
fixed phrase
requiring someone to watch you
Needing another person to watch and control what you do, because you may behave badly or unsafely.
Examples
- After seeing how he drove, we decided he was definitely in need of supervision.
- Some patients with dementia are always in need of supervision for their own safety.
under the supervision of
1/ˈʌndɚ ðə sˌupɚvˈɪʒən əv/
fixed phrase
being watched by a named person
Being watched and checked by a named person who is in charge.
Examples
- The interns will work under the supervision of Dr. Malik.
- All construction took place under the supervision of a certified architect.
with minimal supervision
1/wˈɪθ mˈɪnəməl sˌupɚvˈɪʒən/
fixed phrase
with very little oversight
With only a small amount of watching and checking from a person in charge.
Examples
- The job requires someone who can work independently with minimal supervision.
- She showed that she could manage the project with minimal supervision.
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.