covertly
Translation
covertly, secretly, stealthily
Examples
The spy operated covertly.
The spy operated covertly.
She covertly passed him a note.
She covertly passed him a note.
Grammar Patterns
((to do sth. covertly)) to do something covertly They met covertly after dark.
Similar Words
Synonyms: secretly, stealthily, surreptitiously; Antonyms: overtly, openly
Etymology
From 'covert' + the adverb-forming suffix '-ly'. 'Covert' is from Old French 'covert', meaning 'covered'.
Memory Tips
This is how you do something that is 'covert' (secret). If you do it secretly, you do it 'covertly'.