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

The Impact in America In some ways, Hamas has welcomed the opportunity to cede the responsibilities associated with its overt control over Gaza. — Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026

Two people who were a lot more overt with their romantic intentions were Tex (Elias Cacavas) and Skye. — Megan Vick, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026

We have all been conditioned to accept and even to expect overt activism in the work of writers and artists whose personhood has been politicized. — Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026

Typically, the Justice Department has adhered to a practice of avoiding taking overt investigative steps in politically sensitive investigations within 60 days of an election. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 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