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

That implies that just as federalism guards against the tyranny made possible through overt centralization, federalism also has counterweights to prevent individual state governments from wrecking the whole. —Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024

The homage wasn’t nearly as overt with Agatha, though the premiere opened with an extended riff on gritty dramas like Mare of Eastown, before Agatha was freed from the spell Wanda placed her under. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024

The Apprentice Documentaries aside, few American filmmakers will attempt making any sort of overt political statement these days. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024

Parachute Terrace Gauze Duvet Cover $269 $172 Parachute Parachute's Terrace Gauze Duvet Cover looks good with everything and is stunning without making an overt statement. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 22 Oct. 2024

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

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