Supervisor

Definition

Supervisor refers to an individual who is in charge of overseeing the work or tasks of others to ensure that objectives and standards are met efficiently and effectively.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsuːpərˌvaɪzər/
• Respelling: SOO-pur-vy-zur (with "SOO" as in "soon," "pur" as in "purse," "vy" rhyming with "eye," and "zur" as in "fur")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsuːpəvaɪzə/
• Respelling: SOO-puh-vy-zuh (similar to American English, with "SOO" as in "soon," "puh" as a softer version of "pur," "vy" like in "eye," and "zuh" softer than "zur")

In both dialects, "supervisor" is pronounced with the primary stress on the first syllable, "SOO." The pronunciation differences mainly lie in the articulation of the final syllable and the middle vowel sounds, reflecting the accent variations.

Etymology

The term "supervisor" originates from the Latin word supervisor, from super- (over) + videre (to see), which translates to 'overseer'. It entered the English language in the late 15th century, embodying the notion of overseeing or inspecting a task or group of individuals.

Derivatives

• Supervision (noun)
• Supervisory (adjective)
• Supervise (verb)
• Supervisee (noun)
• Unsupervised (adjective)

Synonyms

• Overseer
• Manager
• Superintendent

Antonyms

• Subordinate
• Employee
• Worker

Usage

The term "supervisor" is prevalently used in professional, educational, and organizational contexts to denote a person who oversees the performance or tasks of others, ensuring compliance with standards and attainment of objectives.

Related Terms

• Management
• Leadership
• Oversight

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Managerial Role: An individual designated with the responsibility of overseeing the work, tasks, or performance of others to ensure that established objectives, standards, or guidelines are met.
• Example: The supervisor will evaluate your performance and provide feedback for improvement.

• Authority Figure: A person holding a position of authority, often tasked with decision-making, problem-solving, and ensuring compliance within a group or organization.
• Example: As a supervisor, she has the authority to approve or disapprove leave requests.

• Coordinator: An individual who coordinates tasks, schedules, and communications among a group or team, ensuring smooth operations and adherence to deadlines.
• Example: The supervisor coordinated the project deadlines to ensure timely delivery.