covert

noun

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

Synonyms of covert

• hideout
• lair
• concealment
• nest

Examples of covert in a Sentence

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

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

There’s a tea service in town that’s a bit more… covert. —Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025

These service members may otherwise be higher earners and may have a larger pre-tax retirement account to covert. —Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

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