supervisor
/ˈsuːpəvaɪzə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsuːpərvaɪzər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsü-pər-ˌvī-zər/ (ame, mw)
supervisor — noun
1. a person at work whose duties include watching the tasks, progress, and conduct
a person at work whose duties include watching the tasks, progress, and conduct of a group of workers or a specific operation.
Gabriela asked her supervisor for feedback on the monthly sales report.
possessive: 'her supervisor'
The warehouse supervisor checked each shipment before it left the building.
[place] + supervisor: location-specific role
When Tuan arrived late, his supervisor requested a written explanation.
Ari, the shift supervisor, resolved a dispute between two warehouse staff by rearranging their weekend schedules.
Hui's supervisor approved her request for two days of training leave.
- subordinate
a person lower in rank who reports to a supervisor
- employee
general term for a person who works under supervision
用法筆記
Common in business, manufacturing, and service settings. A supervisor typically reports to a manager and oversees front-line workers. The specific title often includes the department or area (shift supervisor, warehouse supervisor, production supervisor).
常見錯誤
2. a university teacher who guides a graduate student's research project, thesis, o
a university teacher who guides a graduate student's research project, thesis, or overall course of academic study.
Emre meets his thesis supervisor every Friday to discuss his research progress.
thesis supervisor: common collocation
Professor Okonkwo has been Jenna's academic supervisor since her first year of graduate school.
academic supervisor: full formal title
Yara chose Dr. Chen as her thesis supervisor because his lab focused on coastal ecosystem restoration.
Caleb's supervisor helped him restructure the introduction of his dissertation.
When Adina arrived for her master's programme, the department had already assigned Professor Liao as her supervisor.
- advisor
more common in US universities; slightly broader in scope
- mentor
more personal; focuses on career and personal growth, not just academic work
- faculty advisor
formal title used for student clubs or course selection guidance
用法筆記
Standard in British and Australian universities for both undergraduate and graduate guidance. In the US, 'advisor' is more common for undergraduates, while 'thesis supervisor' or 'dissertation chair' is used for graduate research. In Taiwan, 指導教授 is the standard equivalent.
常見錯誤
3. in some US states, an elected local official who oversees public services and co
in some US states, an elected local official who oversees public services and community decisions for a county or a town.
The county supervisor held a public meeting about the new road construction plan.
county supervisor: US-specific role
After the local park was closed, Eleni decided to run for town supervisor.
run for supervisor: election context
Residents asked the town supervisor to improve garbage collection in their neighborhood.
The county supervisors voted down the proposed 5% tax increase at the March budget meeting.
Vivek wrote to his local supervisor about the broken streetlights on his street.
- county commissioner
equivalent role used in many US states instead of 'supervisor'
- council member
broader, used in cities and towns across many countries
- constituent
a voter or resident represented by an elected official
用法筆記
Only used in US local government. Different states have different titles for the same role (commissioner, council member, selectperson). Not used in Taiwan's political system; the closest concepts are 市議員 (city council member) or 區長 (district head).