supervisor
A supervisor is a person who oversees and directs the work, tasks, or performance of others to ensure that everything is done correctly and efficiently. In an academic or professional setting, they provide guidance, support, and evaluation to subordinates or students.
Examples
3 of 5I asked my supervisor if I could take a few hours off for a doctor's appointment.
I asked my supervisor if I could take a few hours off for a doctor's appointment.
The candidate must ensure that the final report is reviewed and signed by their immediate supervisor.
The candidate must ensure that the final report is reviewed and signed by their immediate supervisor.
My supervisor is really cool; she doesn't mind if we listen to music while we work.
My supervisor is really cool; she doesn't mind if we listen to music while we work.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Break the word down: 'Super' means 'over' and 'vis' means 'to see' (like in vision). A supervisor is someone who 'sees over' your work.
Quick Quiz
If you encounter any technical issues during your shift, please notify your ___ immediately.
Correct!
The correct answer is: supervisor
Examples
I asked my supervisor if I could take a few hours off for a doctor's appointment.
everydayI asked my supervisor if I could take a few hours off for a doctor's appointment.
The candidate must ensure that the final report is reviewed and signed by their immediate supervisor.
formalThe candidate must ensure that the final report is reviewed and signed by their immediate supervisor.
My supervisor is really cool; she doesn't mind if we listen to music while we work.
informalMy supervisor is really cool; she doesn't mind if we listen to music while we work.
Graduate students are expected to meet with their research supervisor at least once a month.
academicGraduate students are expected to meet with their research supervisor at least once a month.
The floor supervisor is responsible for maintaining safety standards throughout the manufacturing plant.
businessThe floor supervisor is responsible for maintaining safety standards throughout the manufacturing plant.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
report to a supervisor
report to a supervisor
seek guidance from a supervisor
seek guidance from a supervisor
supervisor's approval
supervisor's approval
Often Confused With
A superintendent is usually a high-ranking official or someone who manages a whole building or district, whereas a supervisor manages individual people or a specific team.
While often used interchangeably, a manager often handles broader logistics and strategy, while a supervisor focuses on the direct oversight of employees and their daily tasks.
Usage Notes
Use 'supervisor' when referring to the person directly responsible for checking your work. It is more formal than 'boss' and more specific than 'manager' in many corporate and academic contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the informal word 'boss' in academic papers or professional resumes when 'supervisor' would be more appropriate and professional.
Memory Tip
Break the word down: 'Super' means 'over' and 'vis' means 'to see' (like in vision). A supervisor is someone who 'sees over' your work.
Word Origin
From the Medieval Latin 'supervidere', meaning 'to oversee', composed of 'super' (over) and 'videre' (to see).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western workplaces, the supervisor is the first point of contact for resolving conflicts or requesting leave, representing the first level of management.
Quick Quiz
If you encounter any technical issues during your shift, please notify your ___ immediately.
Correct!
The correct answer is: supervisor
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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