# covert

/ˈkoʊvɝt/ (US) · /kəʊvˈɜːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/covert
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. secret or hidden

adjective · CEFR B2

secret or hidden, especially when done by a government or the military.

For teachers: concealed, secret, or surreptitious; frequently applied to intelligence or military operations conducted without public knowledge.

- The agency carried out a covert operation to rescue the hostages.
- The government faced intense scrutiny after journalists exposed a series of covert interventions in the internal affairs of neighbouring states.

### 2. a hiding place for animals

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a place with thick bushes or trees where animals can hide.

For teachers: a thicket, woodland, or area of undergrowth that provides shelter or concealment for wild animals or game.

- The fox disappeared into the thick covert before the dogs could find it.
- The estate manager maintained several areas of dense covert to ensure a healthy population of pheasants for the upcoming season.

### 3. bird feathers

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

small feathers that cover the base of a bird's larger wing or tail feathers.

For teachers: any of the feathers covering the bases of the primary wing or tail feathers in birds.

- You can identify the species by looking at the colour of its wing coverts.
- The ornithologist noted that the iridescent blue on the bird's greater coverts was only visible when the light hit at a specific angle.

### 4. legal status of a married woman

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

an old legal word for a woman who was under the protection and control of her husband.

For teachers: pertaining to the historical legal status of a married woman under the protection and authority of her husband.

- In the past, a woman covert could not own property in her own name.
- The lecturer explained how the status of a feme covert effectively merged a woman's legal identity into that of her husband.

Usage: Usually appears in the phrase 'feme covert'.

## Examples

- The spy ran a covert operation.
- The government launched a covert mission to gather intelligence.
- Behind the scenes, the agency maintained a covert network of informants.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.