What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
typo
Example
I made a typo in my email and accidentally sent it before correcting it. [typo: noun]
Example
She noticed a typo in the report and quickly corrected it. [typo: noun]
oversight
Example
The company's oversight led to a costly mistake that could have been avoided. [oversight: noun]
Example
It was an oversight on my part not to double-check the figures before submitting the report. [oversight: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Typo is a more common word than oversight in everyday language, especially in informal contexts such as texting or emailing. Oversight is more commonly used in formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between typo and oversight?
Oversight is generally considered a more formal word than typo, and is often used in professional or legal contexts to refer to mistakes or errors that could have been prevented with more careful attention or consideration.