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Definition of overtly

overtly

/oʊˈvɝːt.li/
o · vert · ly
Adjective:overt
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overtly Lexical Profile

overtly Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

In an open, direct, and easily observable manner, without any attempt at concealment or secrecy.

Example

"Although the novel is not overtly political, it raises important questions about social justice."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for overtly
Antonyms
View all antonyms for overtly

• Rhymes for overtly

• Nearby Words

overtip
overtire
overtired
overtly
overtness
overtone
overtrain

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from the adjective 'overt' and the suffix '-ly'. 'Overt' entered Middle English from Old French 'overt' (open), the past participle of 'ovrir' (to open), ultimately derived from Vulgar Latin.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Overtly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/overtly
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