Word · Frequency #19457
covertly
秘密地；暗中；偷偷地
secretly; in a covert manner
- 1.
In a covert manner, secretly.
隐蔽地,秘密地。
- 2.
in a covert manner
秘密地
隐蔽地,秘密地。；秘密地；偷偷摸摸地；秘密地
In use
He covertly passed the documents to his contact.
The company covertly monitored its competitors' activities.
She covertly took a picture of the celebrity.
he did it covertly
covertly + verb
副词前置，强调动作的隐蔽性。
He covertly observed the meeting.
他秘密地观察了会议。
verb + covertly
副词后置，常见于不及物动词。
They operated covertly in the region.
他们在该地区秘密行动。
be + covertly + past participle
用于被动结构，表示秘密进行。
The operation was covertly funded.
这次行动被秘密资助。
Common mistakes
He did it covert, so no one saw.He did it covertly, so no one saw.
副词“covertly”需要以-ly结尾修饰动词，而“covert”是形容词，不能直接用作状语。
She spoke overtly about the secret plan.She spoke covertly about the secret plan.
“overtly”意为公开地，与“秘密地”相反。正确的词是“covertly”，表示秘密地做某事。
Connections
Collocations
- act covertly
- 秘密行事
- The agent had to act covertly to avoid detection.特工必须秘密行事，以免被发现。
- operate covertly
- 秘密运作；暗中活动
- The organization operated covertly for years before it was discovered.这个组织秘密运作多年后才被发觉。
- observe covertly
- 暗中观察
- Researchers observed the animals covertly so as not to disturb them.研究人员暗中观察这些动物，以免打扰它们。
- support covertly
- 暗中支持
- The government was accused of supporting the rebels covertly.政府被指控暗中支持叛军。
- record covertly
- 秘密录制；偷录
- He covertly recorded their conversation without permission.他未经许可秘密录下了他们的谈话。
Synonyms
Learner notes
Memory Tip
联想 cover（盖住）：把行动盖住不让人看见，就是 covertly——秘密地、暗中地做事。
Context & Register
语域：formal 常见场景：formal writing、official reports、intelligence and military contexts covertly 通常比 secretly 更正式，多用于正式写作、官方报告或情报/军事语境，表示‘隐蔽地、秘密地’；日常口语中较少见。
Grammar Note
与 secretly 近义，但更强调隐秘性
Pronunciation & Spelling
overtly、pertly、alertly、inertly 都与 covertly 押韵，词尾都是 /ɝtli/；expertly 虽拼写相似（-ertly），但重音在第一音节 /ˈɛkspɝtli/，发音不同，不与 covertly 押韵。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.