Word
overt
US/ˈoʊvɝt/
UK/əʊvˈɜːt/
Definition
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.
Examples
“The company showed overt signs of interest in the deal.”
“Despite their private disagreements, there was no overt hostility between the two leaders during the press conference.”
“The film's political message is overt, eschewing subtle metaphors in favor of direct dialogue that challenges the audience's preconceptions about social justice.”
Examples
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.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “overt” in context.
Adjective
01. overt response
“The patient showed an overt response to the stimulus, making it easy for the doctors to observe the reaction.”
adj + noun
02. respectively overt
Usage
Often used in legal or political contexts to distinguish visible actions from hidden intentions.
Real-World Examples
“It is a way of showing he cares about the human cost without making any overt political statements – but whether it satisfies the people who wanted him to speak is another matter.” “In the US, the opposition to data centres is most overt on the political left.” Etymology
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.
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
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/overt