covert

1 of 3

adjective

co·​vert ˈkō-(ˌ)vərt  kō-ˈvərt  ˈkə-vərt 

1

: not openly shown, engaged in, or avowed : veiled

a covert alliance

a covert military operation

covert racism

2

: covered over : sheltered

covert places in the woods

covertly adverb

covertness noun

covert

2 of 3

noun (1)

co·​vert ˈkə-vərt  ˈkō-vərt 

also

ˈkə-vər 

1

a

: hiding place : shelter

b

: a thicket affording cover for game

c

: a masking or concealing device

2

: a feather covering the bases of the quills of the wings and tail of a bird see wing illustration

3

: a firm durable twilled sometimes waterproofed cloth usually of mixed-color yarns

covertness

3 of 3

noun (2)

co·​vert·​ness

ˈkō-(ˌ)vərt-nəs, 

kō-ˈvərt-;

kə-ˈvərt-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being covert

Synonyms of covert

Adjective

• secluded
• hidden
• sheltered
• secret

Noun (1)

• hideout
• lair
• concealment
• nest

Choose the Right Synonym for covert

secret, covert, stealthy, furtive, clandestine, surreptitious, underhanded mean done without attracting observation.

secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.

the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

Examples of covert in a Sentence

Adjective

He has taken part in a number of covert military operations.

spy agencies taking covert action

Noun (1)

set up a covert from which to watch wildlife without being detected

the rabbit rushed to the safety of the nearest covert

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The film follows cybersecurity expert Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor), who lifts secret files about the existence of aliens from Wardex, a covert non-government organization that used to employ him. —Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

The investigation also linked the activity to China based on IP addresses associated with a LinkedIn account and a Gmail account tied to the covert recruitment scheme. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 10 June 2026

Noun

His review seemed a prescient (if covert) attempt to head off the very criticisms that would later confront his own work. —Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026

That containment logic, either overt or covert, has repeatedly reappeared whenever protest has become politically inconvenient and unpalatable to those in power. —Stephanie A, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, past participle of coverir to cover

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing covert

• break covert
• tail covert
• wing covert

Kids Definition

covert

1 of 2 adjective

co·​vert ˈkō-(ˌ)vərt  kō-ˈvərt 

ˈkəv-ərt

1

: not openly made or done

covert military operations

2

: covered over : sheltered

a covert nook

covertly adverb

covertness noun

covert

2 of 2 noun

co·​vert ˈkəv-ərt  ˈkō-vərt 

1

: hiding place : shelter

2

: a thicket giving cover to game