[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/covertly/)

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# covertly

adverb (covertly)

«covertly» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. In a secret or hidden way, so that others do not notice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/covertly/#m1)
2. (formal) Not openly shown or admitted: «covertly unhappy». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/covertly/#m2)

### In the lessons

Used in spy stories, mysteries and news about secret agents or police; in classroom stories, a child might covertly pass a note. It tells the reader that something is done secretly. Opposite: «openly», «overtly».

### Examples

- She covertly passed a note to her friend under the desk. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/covertly/#x1)
- The detective covertly watched the house. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/covertly/#x2)
- Spies covertly gathered information. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/covertly/#x3)
- Tim covertly slipped the sprouts to the dog. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/covertly/#x4)
- The cameras covertly filmed the badgers at night. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/covertly/#x5)
- He covertly checked his phone during the film. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/covertly/#x6)
- The rabbit covertly nibbled the lettuce while the farmer slept. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/covertly/#x7)

### Note

Adverb from «covert» (secret, hidden). Pronounced KUV-ert-lee or KOH-vert-lee. Opposite: «overtly». Do not confuse with «covet» (to want something that belongs to someone else).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «covertly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/covertly/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«covertly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/covertly.html) on Mova free.