WordGarden.iocovertly
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /kəʊvˈɜːtli/
US
- /koʊˈvɜrtli/
Meanings
Adverb
in a secret or hidden way
Beyond the definition
Imagine a spy on a mission – they don't announce their plans! To act covertly means to do something in a secret or hidden way, often to avoid being noticed or detected. It's about operating under the radar. A detective might covertly observe a suspect, and a politician might covertly negotiate a deal before making it public. The word suggests intention – you're deliberately trying to keep something quiet. Think of a covert operation: everything is done in secret for a specific purpose.
The word covertly describes an action performed secretly, stealthily, or discreetly. It implies a deliberate attempt to avoid detection or observation. The root comes from the word "cover," hinting at something being hidden from view. While "secretly" is a good synonym, covertly often suggests more planning and intention than simply keeping something quiet.
You might see it used in contexts involving espionage: "The agents worked covertly to gather intelligence." But it's not limited to spies! A student might covertly peek at a classmate's test, or a company might covertly launch a new marketing campaign before the official announcement.
It can also describe someone's feelings or motivations: "He covertly admired her from across the room," meaning he admired her secretly and didn't want anyone to know. The key is that the action, feeling, or intention is hidden – done "under cover," so to speak.
Unlike simply being unaware of something, acting covertly means actively concealing your actions. It's about operating in the shadows, with a purpose and a desire for secrecy. So if you suspect someone is up to no good but they're trying to hide it, chances are they're acting covertly.
Examples
- 1
Secret photo
He covertly took a photo of the document with his phone.
- 2
Hidden message
She covertly passed her brother a note during the meeting.
- 3
Digital tracking
The company was fined for covertly tracking its customers online.
- 4
Secret funding
The government covertly funded the group through a third party.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Financial routing
Investigators later discovered that the payments had been covertly routed through several overseas accounts.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- act covertly
- operate covertly
- communicate covertly
Word family
Explore
- concealment
- covert operation
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- covertlyadverb