adjective
Uncommon
covert
KOH-vurt
Covert (adjective) means Secret or hidden; done in a concealed way. Example: “The agency ran a covert operation to gather intelligence.”
adjective
1
Secret or hidden; done in a concealed way.
"The agency ran a covert operation to gather intelligence."
"They exchanged covert glances across the room."
noun
1
A thicket or dense area of undergrowth where game animals hide.
"The hunting dogs flushed a pheasant out of the covert."
2
In birds, a small feather that covers the base of a larger flight feather.
"The wing coverts showed a flash of blue."
How to use covert
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSecret or concealed, especially for operations, glances, or actions people aren't meant to notice.
Common mistake
Not directly related to "overt," even though the words look and sound like opposites — they come from different Latin roots (covert = "covered," overt = "open").
Easily confused with
Common pairings
covert operation
covert surveillance
covert glance
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Word forms
- Plural
- coverts
- Comparative
- more covert
- Superlative
- most covert
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The agency ran a _____ operation to gather intelligence.
Etymology
From Old French covert, meaning "covered" — the same root as the verb "cover."
Synonyms
View more →
screen
cover
concealment
abstruse
behind the scenes
backroom
catlike
stealth
clandestine
cloak-and-dagger
concealed
confidential
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for covert
See all rhymes for covert →Frequently asked questions
What does “covert” mean?
The word “covert” means secret or hidden; done in a concealed way. In plain terms, secret or concealed, especially for operations, glances, or actions people aren't meant to notice.
How do you pronounce “covert”?
“Covert” is pronounced KOH-vurt (/ˈkoʊvɚt/ in IPA).
How do you use “covert” in a sentence?
Here is “covert” used in a sentence: “The agency ran a covert operation to gather intelligence.”
What is another word for “covert”?
Words with a similar meaning to “covert” include abstruse, behind the scenes, backroom, catlike, stealth and clandestine.
What part of speech is “covert”?
Depending on how it is used, “covert” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “covert” come from?
The word “covert” comes from Old French. From Old French covert, meaning "covered" — the same root as the verb "cover.".
Is “covert” a common word?
“Covert” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “covert” have?
“Covert” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: secret or hidden; done in a concealed way.
What is the difference between "covert" describing an action and "covert" as a bird term?
As an adjective, "covert" describes something secret or hidden, done in a concealed way, such as a covert operation. As a noun in ornithology, a covert is a small feather that covers the base of a larger flight feather, an entirely unrelated technical sense specific to bird anatomy.
What is a "covert" in hunting terminology?
In hunting contexts, a covert refers to a thicket or dense area of undergrowth where game animals hide, distinct from the adjective sense of "covert" meaning secret or hidden.
Is "covert" more formal than "secret"?
"Covert" often carries a more specialized or formal tone than "secret," frequently appearing in military, intelligence, or operational contexts, whereas "secret" is the more general, everyday term for anything hidden.
