overt

American  

[oh-vurt, oh-vurt] / oʊˈvɜrt, ˈoʊ vɜrt /

adjective

1. open to view or knowledge; not concealed or secret.

   overt hostility.

   Synonyms:

   public, apparent, manifest, plain

   Antonyms:

   private

2. Heraldry. (of a device, as a purse) represented as open.

   a purse overt.

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overt British  

/ əʊˈvɜːt, ˈəʊvɜːt /

adjective

1. open to view; observable

2. law open; deliberate. Criminal intent may be inferred from an overt act

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Other Word Forms

• overtly adverb
• overtness noun
• unovert adjective

Etymology

Origin of overt

1275–1325; Middle English < Old French, past participle of ouvrir to open < Vulgar Latin *ōperīre, for Latin aperīre

Explanation

Overt means open and done in plain sight. An overt demand for an increase in your allowance probably won't work; instead, try praising your parents' generosity and dropping hints about how high prices are these days. If you speak French, remember that overt is the same as the French ouvert "open." If you don't speak French, give up all hope of ever learning this word. Just kidding — forgive the overt attempt at humor. English speakers, here's your trick for remembering the difference between overt and covert: overt = "open"; covert = "covered."

Example Sentences

That distinction between overt and internalised coercion was also referenced by two disabled MSPs – Pam Duncan-Glancy and Jeremy Balfour, both of whom sit as independents and oppose the bill.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Some young people are now being more overt on their dating profiles, revealing their faces and personal details including names, interests and universities attended.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

Even without such overt leading of a witness, courts in many places, including Florida, one of America’s leading death penalty states, have questioned “the reliability of statements procured by way of hypnosis.”

From Slate • Feb. 13, 2026

The best propaganda is not necessarily the overt factual claims that are made in a statement.

From Salon • Jan. 20, 2026

Never with words or overt act would they reproach me, but they did with their eyes—which was worse—and by an unaccustomed silence....

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Related Words

• apparent
• definite
• undisguised