covert

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "covert" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean something that is done in a secret or hidden way, or that is not openly acknowledged or displayed. For example: The government conducted covert surveillance of the suspect's home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Police are investigating complaints from four campaigners who say they felt intimidated by covert officers who tried to recruit them as informants.

The Guardian

"In addition, the executing officer or a person assisting is empowered to leave a warrant premise temporarily and subsequently re-enter to continue the execution of the warrant in certain instances where, for example, the occupier returns home and the covert nature of the warrant is at risk.

The Guardian

The government said the measure would be used in limited operational situations but it was "critical to enable covert investigation of terrorism offences".

The Guardian

The AFP said in its own submission that regimes for delayed notification search warrants or covert searches were "in place in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, WA and the Northern Territory, as well as Canada, the UK and the United States of America".

The Guardian

Every time we detect one it's a minor miracle Howard Jones In the hunt for Sky and Hope, covert surveillance was no help.

The Guardian

In 1984, Sexton came to the island to undertake covert nest surveillance.

The Guardian

Boko Haram spies spread the rumour that she refused to covert from Christianity to Islam.

The Guardian - Opinion

His review is only into mistakes within the scheme and what happened in the Downey case, not the existence of the covert scheme.

The Guardian

In the years since, Thatcher and her former ministers and intelligence mandarins have defended such covert action by insisting the NUM leaders were "subversive" because they wanted to bring down the government.

The Guardian - Opinion

Otter also said it was "totally unacceptable" that many senior officers who were responsible for approving undercover operations were not trained properly or did not have experience in covert work.

The Guardian

Covert aid from the CIA and National Security Agency has reportedly helped Colombian government forces kill dozens of rebels leaders.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "covert" to describe actions, operations, or investigations rather than static objects. This emphasizes the active nature of being concealed or secret.

Common error

Avoid confusing "covert" with "overt". "Covert" means hidden or secret, while "overt" means open and obvious. Using the wrong term can completely change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The word "covert" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something done in a hidden or secretive manner. Ludwig examples show its use in phrases like "covert operations" and "covert surveillance". Ludwig AI states that the word is correct and usable in written english.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "covert" functions primarily as an adjective, denoting something done secretly or hidden from view. Ludwig identifies it as grammatically correct and widely used, especially in contexts such as news reporting on intelligence and security matters. Its semantic range encompasses secrecy, concealment, and strategic intent, making it suitable for describing actions or operations designed to avoid detection. While "covert" enjoys widespread use across various registers, it's crucial to distinguish it from "overt" to maintain accuracy. The related phrases like "undercover" and "clandestine" offer nuanced alternatives, each highlighting specific aspects of secrecy. Therefore, understanding these subtle differences allows for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Undercover

Focuses on operating secretly while pretending to be someone else.

Secret

Emphasizes that something is known by only a few people.

Clandestine

Highlights that an action or organization is kept secret or done secretively, often illicitly.

Surreptitious

Suggests something is done secretly because it would not be approved of if it were known.

Concealed

Indicates something is kept from sight or knowledge.

Hidden

Simply denotes something not easily found or noticed.

Disguised

Highlights that something's appearance is altered to conceal its true nature.

Under wraps

Idiomatic phrase indicating something is kept secret until a particular time.

Sub rosa

Latin term meaning 'under the rose,' indicating secrecy or confidentiality.

Backdoor

Implies a secret or indirect way of achieving something, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

How is "covert" used in a sentence?

You can use "covert" to describe actions or operations that are carried out secretly. For example, "The agency conducted a "covert operation" to gather intelligence."

What words are similar to "covert"?

Similar words include "secret", "clandestine", "undercover", and "surreptitious". The best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "covertly operation"?

No, it's not grammatically correct. Use "covert operation" instead, where "covert" acts as an adjective describing the operation. You could use "covertly" as an adverb to describe how something is done, such as "The operation was conducted "covertly"".

What is the difference between "covert" and "secret"?

"Secret" is a more general term meaning something is not known or meant to be known by others. "Covert" implies deliberate concealment and is often associated with activities or operations carried out in secret. A secret can be passively unknown, while a covert action is actively hidden.