supervisor

/ˌsuːpərˈvaɪzər/
nounIntermediate person who oversees workers
💼Business
formal

A person who oversees and directs the work of others, typically in a workplace setting.

The factory supervisor checks the quality of products before they are shipped.

A supervisor in a factory inspects goods to ensure they meet standards.

💡

Supervisors often have authority to assign tasks and provide feedback.

general

A person responsible for monitoring and guiding the activities of a group or project.

The research supervisor helps students with their thesis projects.

A supervisor in academia assists students with their research.

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This role can vary widely depending on the industry or organization.

Collocations

supervisor trainingprograms to prepare supervisors for their rolesupervisor dutiestasks and responsibilities of a supervisorsupervisor feedbackevaluation or guidance provided by a supervisor

Related Phrases

superviseverb
to oversee or direct someone's work
supervisionnoun
the act of overseeing or managing

💡Pro Tip

Formal vs. Informal Use

In formal settings, 'supervisor' is preferred over 'boss' or 'manager' when referring to someone who oversees workers.

Gold Rule

Authority vs. Leadership

A supervisor has authority over workers, but effective leadership requires trust and communication.

📖Word Origin

From Middle French 'superviseur', from Latin 'supervisus', past participle of 'supervidere' (to oversee).

📝Usage Notes

The term is commonly used in business and organizational contexts. In some cases, 'supervisor' may be used interchangeably with 'manager', though the latter often implies a higher level of authority.

Word Breakdown

super
over
prefix
+
visor
to see
root
English Dictionary