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

This year has seen several notable incidents involving both overt and covert threats to undersea infrastructure, including Iranian efforts to impose fees on operators of undersea cables running through the contested Strait of Hormuz. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Then, bags with recognizable shapes but not necessarily overt logos, shoes that can change the attitude of an outfit, and decorative accessories. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

The decision by the Justice Department to take those overt investigative steps so close to the midterm elections has sparked criticism. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

The overt awareness of a ticking clock allows the smallest details to rise to the top. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 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