covert
KOH-vert
/ˈkoʊvərt/
Not openly acknowledged or displayed; secret.
While 'covert' means secret, it often implies that the activity is intentionally hidden, usually by an organization or government, and often for strategic reasons. The existence of the operation itself is usually denied.
The story behind the word. Our word 'covert' comes from the Old French 'covert,' meaning 'covered.' It's the past participle of 'covrir,' which means 'to cover.' So, when something is 'covert,' it's literally 'covered up' or hidden from view. This origin perfectly captures the essence of secret operations that are kept under wraps.
Word relationships
- secret: More general, can apply to anything hidden.
- clandestine: Emphasizes illegality or impropriety, often more secretive than 'covert'.
- undercover: Specifically refers to agents operating in disguise.
- overt: Done or shown openly; not secret or hidden.
- public: Open to all; not secret.
Commonly confused with
- clandestine: 'Covert' implies secrecy with plausible deniability, often by official entities. 'Clandestine' often suggests something illicit, unauthorized, or highly secretive, regardless of official backing.
Word family
- covertly (adverb): In a secret or hidden manner
Collocations
- covert operation
- covert action
- covert surveillance
- covert agent
- covert mission
Example sentences
- "The government denied any involvement in the covert mission, maintaining plausible deniability." The agency launched a covert operation to rescue the hostages.
- "He made a series of covert movements to avoid detection, slipping silently through the shadows." Her covert glances suggested she knew more than she was letting on.
- "The journalist uncovered evidence of a covert funding scheme designed to influence foreign elections." The documentary exposed several covert programs run by the military.
Memory hook
Think of a 'COVer' that hides something. A 'covert' operation is covered up and secret. COVer: hidden.
When not to use
Don't use 'covert' for something accidentally hidden or a personal secret; it typically applies to organized, strategic secrecy.
Fun facts
- The opposite of 'covert' is 'overt,' which also comes from Old French ('ouvert' meaning 'open').
Related words
Explore more words
surveillance, subterfuge, deceptive, anonymity, conspiracy, subvert
Also appears in
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