undercover

[ uhn-der-kuhv-er, uhn-der-kuhv- ]

adjective

1. working or done out of public sight; secret:

   an undercover investigation.

   Synonyms: hidden, clandestine, covert

2. engaged in spying or securing confidential information:

   an undercover agent.

undercover

/ ˌʌndəˈkʌvə /

adjective

1. done or acting in secret

   undercover operations

Word History and Origins

Origin of undercover¹

First recorded in 1850–55; under- + cover

Example Sentences

Some staff at the Life Wirral independent school were recorded by an undercover reporter manhandling pupils and using derogatory and homophobic language.

From BBC

A pub worker has warned failures in the Ask for Angela safety scheme are putting vulnerable women at risk, after a BBC undercover investigation found more than half of participating venues failed to respond properly.

From BBC

An undercover investigation into the alleged mis-selling of phone contracts has revealed questionable sales practices, prompting calls for stronger regulation.

From BBC

Federal agents, including undercover operatives, were in the ballroom during the assassination and took no steps to intervene, the lawsuit alleges.

From BBC

He gets a new lease on life when he’s tapped by a private investigator to go undercover at a San Francisco retirement home to dig into the theft of a missing heirloom.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• covert