adjective
Uncommon
undercover
uhn-duh-KUH-vuh
Undercover (adjective) means Carried out secretly, especially as part of an investigation. Example: “The reporter went undercover to expose the scam.”
adjective
1
Carried out secretly, especially as part of an investigation.
"The reporter went undercover to expose the scam."
"The undercover operation led to several arrests at the warehouse."
"An undercover investigation into the factory revealed unsafe working conditions."
2
Working secretly, especially as a spy or investigator.
"He spent two years as an undercover officer in the narcotics unit."
"The film follows an undercover agent who joins a smuggling ring."
"She worked as an undercover detective, pretending to be a waitress in the club."
How to use undercover
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWorking or acting in secret, usually to investigate or infiltrate something.
Common pairings
undercover agent
undercover cop
go undercover
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Word forms
- Plural
- undercovers
- Third person singular
- undercovers
- Past tense
- undercovered
- Comparative
- more undercover
- Superlative
- most undercover
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The reporter went _____ to expose the scam.
Etymology
From under + cover, in the sense of "hidden."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for undercover
See all rhymes for undercover →Frequently asked questions
What does “undercover” mean?
The word “undercover” means carried out secretly, especially as part of an investigation. In plain terms, working or acting in secret, usually to investigate or infiltrate something.
How do you pronounce “undercover”?
“Undercover” is pronounced uhn-duh-KUH-vuh (/ˌʌndə(ɹ)ˈkʌvə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “undercover” in a sentence?
Here is “undercover” used in a sentence: “The reporter went undercover to expose the scam.”
What is another word for “undercover”?
Words with a similar meaning to “undercover” include clandestine.
What part of speech is “undercover”?
“Undercover” is an adjective.
Is “undercover” a common word?
“Undercover” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “undercover” have?
“Undercover” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: carried out secretly, especially as part of an investigation.
What is the difference between "undercover" and "clandestine"?
"Undercover" specifically describes work or investigations carried out secretly by someone posing as something they are not, such as a spy or investigator, while "clandestine" (an existing synonym) more broadly describes anything done secretly, not limited to disguised identity or investigative work.
Is "undercover" only used for police work?
No, while "undercover" is commonly associated with police or intelligence investigations, it applies to anyone working secretly, especially as a spy or investigator, in any context requiring a hidden identity or purpose.
What is the difference between an "undercover" agent and a "secret" agent?
An "undercover" agent specifically works while concealing their true identity or role, typically to gather information as part of an investigation, while "secret agent" is a more general term for someone engaged in espionage that does not necessarily emphasize disguised identity.
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