overt

adjective

ō-ˈvərt  ˈō-(ˌ)vərt 

: open to view : manifest

overt hostility

overt symptoms of the disease

overt discrimination

both overt and covert military action

overtness noun

Examples of overt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For this overt attempt to overthrow a free and fair election, Moody was ultimately rewarded with an appointment to Marco Rubio’s vacant Senate seat. —Jim Paladino, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026

No overt talk of politics California Republicans have also seized on the issue, amid visits to the state by the right-wing online influencer Nick Shirley, who has published video investigations into daycare fraud in Minnesota and hospice fraud in Los Angeles. —Andrew Graham april 30, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026

As usual, Taylor avoided making any overt political commentary. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026

In short, this omnibus state security bill addresses the full spectrum of threats — both covert and overt — from foreign adversaries. —Joe Gebbia Sr, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from past participle of ovrir to open, from Vulgar Latin *operire, alteration of Latin aperire

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overt

• alert
• assert
• avert
• dessert
• divert
• evert
• exert
• inert
• insert
• invert
• nightshirt
• revert

Kids Definition

overt

adjective

ō-ˈvərt  ˈō-(ˌ)vərt 

: open to view : not secret

overt hostility

overtly adverb

overtness noun

Medical Definition

overt

adjective

ō-ˈvərt, ˈō-ˌvərt also ˈō-vərt

: open to view : readily perceived

overt behavior

overtly adverb