overt

[oh-vurt, oh-vurt]

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.

overt

/ əʊˈvɜːt, ˈəʊvɜːt /

adjective

1. open to view; observable

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

Other Word Forms

• overtness noun
• overtly adverb
• unovert adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of overt¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of overt¹

C14: via Old French, from ovrir to open, from Latin aperīre

Example Sentences

Transphobia doesn’t have to announce itself with slurs or overt hostility.

Read more on Salon

While an overt Chinese attack would force Washington to act quickly, a more subtle interruption of Taiwan’s seaborne trade, including of fuel, would complicate decision-making in Washington.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"There can be this moment where it's unveiled to you, through things that they do that are very overt," she said.

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Veteran TV news executives warn that any overt attempt to woo disaffected conservatives risks alienating the millions of viewers who are still watching CBS News programs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He did this during the campaign after being called out for his overt lie about Haitian immigrants kidnapping and eating people’s pets.

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Related Words

• apparent 
• definite 
• undisguised