Words / C1

oh-VURT/əʊˈvɜːt/

Overt means done openly, not hidden: overt racism, overt lobbying. Open is everyday; covert (already in the dictionary) is the opposite. Overture is a musical opening — a lookalike. Do not call a confidential ethics file overt.

Meaning

Done or shown openly, not hidden.

Examples

• “Overt lobbying in the corridor is still lobbying; put it in the register.”
• “Overt lobbying in the corridor still belongs in the register.”
• “Open is everyday; overt is the formal adjective of “not concealed”. Covert is hidden. An overture is music (or a diplomatic opening). Secret minutes are not overt.”

Good to know

Open; not secret. Everyday: open. Opposite: covert. Mix-up: overture (music). Confidential process ≠ overt.

Near in meaning

open

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