overt

adjective

ō-ˈvərt  ˈō-(ˌ)vərt 

: open to view : manifest

overt hostility

overt symptoms of the disease

overt discrimination

both overt and covert military action

overtness noun

Examples of overt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet these overt tensions are balanced by an ongoing stream of aesthetic reflections—which in turn are doubled by Hong’s own artistry. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026

Both Karayel and Akdulger are strong in roles that require them to portray deep turmoil without much dialogue or overt drama. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Speaking with Dakich, Pearl argued that Macklemore's messaging crosses from political commentary into overt hate speech. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Learning how to participate authentically, provide real value and avoid turning community conversations into overt sales pitches can make all the difference. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from past participle of ovrir to open, from Vulgar Latin *operire, alteration of Latin aperire

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overt

• alert
• assert
• avert
• dessert
• divert
• evert
• exert
• inert
• insert
• invert
• nightshirt
• revert

Kids Definition

overt

adjective

ō-ˈvərt  ˈō-(ˌ)vərt 

: open to view : not secret

overt hostility

overtly adverb

overtness noun

Medical Definition

overt

adjective

ō-ˈvərt, ˈō-ˌvərt also ˈō-vərt

: open to view : readily perceived

overt behavior

overtly adverb