ENGLISH
REFERENCE

overt

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈoʊvɝt// UK //əʊvˈɜːt// overt

adj. done or shown in an open way so that everyone can see it. It is the opposite of something that is hidden or secret.

adj. done or shown openly; not secret or hidden. Often used to describe actions, intentions, or signs that are plainly apparent rather than implied.


SIMPLE

The company showed overt signs of interest in the deal.

CONTEXTUAL

Despite their private disagreements, there was no overt hostility between the two leaders during the press conference.

COMPLEX

The film's political message is overt, eschewing subtle metaphors in favor of direct dialogue that challenges the audience's preconceptions about social justice.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English overt, uverte (“open, uncovered; unfastened; accessible, unobstructed; clear, manifest”), from Anglo-Norman overt, Middle French ouvert, Old French overt, ouvert, uvert (“opened”) (modern French ouvert), past participle of Anglo-Norman, Old French ovrir, ouvrir, uvrir (“to open”), from Late Latin operire, variant of Latin aperīre (“to open”), from aperiō (“to open, uncover”), from Proto-Indo-European h₂epó (“away; from”) + h₂wer- (“to cover, shut”). The English word is a doublet of apert and ouvert.

Usage

Often used in legal or political contexts to distinguish visible actions from hidden intentions.

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