English Reference
Adverb

overtly

adv. manner
C1 Advanced US /oʊˈvɝtɫi/ UK /əʊvˈɜːtli/ overt·ly

adv.in a way that is open and easy to see. You use this when someone does not try to hide their feelings or actions.

adv.in an open, manifest, or non-secretive manner. Frequently used to modify adjectives or verbs that describe political, social, or emotional stances.


SIMPLE

The company was overtly hostile to the new regulations.

CONTEXTUAL

Although the film is not overtly political, it contains several scenes that critique the current government.

COMPLEX

The candidate's speech was overtly designed to appeal to rural voters, utilizing specific regional dialects and addressing local economic concerns that had been previously ignored.

Usage

Typically placed before the adjective it modifies or after the verb.

Pitfall
He overtly to the plan.He was overtly opposed to the plan.

Overtly is an adverb and cannot function as a verb; it must modify an adjective or a verb.

It’s not overtly political, but “making something that is pro-journalism speaks for itself in terms of protecting it and caring about it”, says Gleeson, who considers himself “very much on the left”.

The Guardian· 2 Sept 2026

The most overtly political questions come at the end.

Al Jazeera· 19 Aug 2026

From overt + -ly.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated