Word
covertly
Phoneticscovert·ly
US/koʊˈvɝtɫi/
UK/kəʊvˈɜːtli/
Definition
adv. in a secret or hidden way. You use this when someone does something without others knowing it is happening.
adv. in a secret or hidden manner; without being openly acknowledged or observed.
Examples
“The two countries worked covertly to reach a peace agreement.”
“The spy moved through the city covertly, wearing a plain suit to avoid drawing attention to himself.”
“While the official policy remained unchanged, the government operated covertly to support the local resistance, fearing that public knowledge would provoke a military response.”
Examples
simple
“The two countries worked covertly to reach a peace agreement.”
contextual
“The spy moved through the city covertly, wearing a plain suit to avoid drawing attention to himself.”
complex
“While the official policy remained unchanged, the government operated covertly to support the local resistance, fearing that public knowledge would provoke a military response.”
Real-World Examples
“JL Partners’ co-founder James Johnson was covertly filmed discussing the Reform polling, telling one of the reporters that his company had done “a little bit of informal rule-bending” in relation to one survey.” “Businesses and local councils around Australia are increasingly imposing their own restrictions on "smart glasses," responding to customers' concerns about being covertly recorded in public places.” Etymology
From Middle English covertli, equivalent to covert + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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