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

My pressing concern is that athletes become more acutely aware of the overt and subtle effects of being tethered to smartphones and apps. — Jayson Jenks, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Taylor Swift makes subtle and overt references to her relationship with Travis Kelce in her music. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 4 July 2026

Ultimately, these processes also do not need to be as overt as what is occurring with Clark and the physicality of the league. — Lindsey Darvin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Customers are increasingly drawn to exceptional design and quality over overt branding. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 29 June 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