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Definition of overseer

overseer

/ˈoʊ.vɚˌsiː.ɚ/
o · ver · se · er
Plural:overseers
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overseer Lexical Profile

overseer Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who supervises others, especially workers or an institutional operation.

Example

"The factory overseer inspected the assembly line to ensure all safety protocols were followed."

2

A senior ecclesiastical officer or bishop in certain Christian denominations, Derived as a literal translation of the Greek 'episkopos'.

Example

"The regional overseer visited the local congregation to ordain the new elders."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

In American English, 'overseer' carries strong historical connotations of antebellum plantation slavery, so 'supervisor' or 'manager' is strongly preferred in modern workplace contexts.

• Nearby Words

overseas
oversecrete
oversee
overseer
oversell
oversensitive
oversensitivity

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English (late 14th century) from the verb 'oversee' (from Old English 'oferseon', meaning 'to look down upon' or 'superintend') combined with the agent suffix '-er'. It is a direct Germanic calque of the Latin 'supervisor'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Overseer. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/overseer
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