Overt for Dummies

Overt is a word that we use to describe something that is easily seen or noticed, something that is not hidden or kept secret. It's like when you wear a bright yellow shirt that catches everyone's attention because it is so visible, that's overt. Similarly, if you tell a really loud joke in class and everyone hears it, that's also overt because it's not something that goes unnoticed. So, when we say something is overt, we mean it is right there in front of us, plain to see, and doesn't require any extra effort to recognize. It's the opposite of being covert, which means hidden or secret.

Let's think of some examples to help us understand this word better. Imagine you are playing a game of hide and seek with your friends. When you're hiding behind a tree and your friend easily spots you because you're not really hiding, that's being overt. Your friend quickly notices you because you're not making any effort to stay hidden. On the other hand, when your friend hides in a really sneaky spot and it takes you a long time to find them, that's being covert because they are making an effort to stay hidden and it's not as easy to spot them.

In a different situation, let's say you're walking down the street and you see an advertisement for a new toy that's displayed on a big billboard. The toy is shown with bright colors and large letters, easily grabbing your attention. That advertisement is overt because it is designed to be easily seen by everyone passing by. However, if the advertisement was placed in a small corner of a store, with tiny letters that blend in with the background, it would be covert because it's not easily noticed.

Now, let's summarize what we've learned about the word "overt." It means something that is easily seen or noticed, the opposite of hidden or secret. It's like wearing a bright shirt that catches everyone's attention or telling a joke that everyone hears. It's not like hiding behind a tree where you can easily be found or a small advertisement that goes unnoticed. So, next time you come across the word "overt," remember that it refers to something that is right there in front of you, plain to see.