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

For those weary of the overt commercialism surrounding those glitzy showpieces, the GAA provides a refreshing antidote. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 27 July 2026

The film reviewing account has lent itself to Charli’s overt styling of herself as an arbiter of taste and an unabashed fan of pop culture. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

For one, the Obama administration often pursued less overt enforcement. — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2026

Stewart, though, has been extremely careful to avoid overt advocacy—the rare exception being a successful 2010 push to get congressional Republicans to pass health care coverage for 9/11 first responders. — Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 13 July 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