overt

1 of 2

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

overtness

2 of 2

noun

overt·​ness

"+nə̇s

plural -es

: the quality or state of being overt

Examples of overt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

These early sequences display a keen ability from Matsumura to paint a tragic picture of malignant, festering grief from a past tragedy, without the need for any overt explanation. — James Marsh, Variety, 29 Oct. 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

And Justice Department guidelines and norms have typically urged prosecutors to avoid taking overt investigative steps on politically sensitive cases so close to a national election. — Sophia Vlahakis, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Jane hoped to be more overt, creating a simple manual for people who came to the topic on purpose. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

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