Undercover — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun adverb /ˌən-dər-ˈkə-vər/ un·der·cov·er

Meaning & Definition of Undercover

Undercover (adjective)

  1. acting or executed in secret; specifically, employed or engaged in spying or secret investigation

Undercover (noun)

  1. a person engaged in undercover activity, spy

Undercover (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others

    "an undercover operation to infiltrate the terrorist organization"

    similar: backstairs, behind-the-scenes, clandestine, covert, furtive, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger, hush-hush, private, privy, secret, sneak, sneaking, sneaky, stealth, stealthy, surreptitious, underground, underhand, underhanded
    related: back-channel, closed-door, off-the-books, off-the-record, classified, confidential, restricted, top secret, undisclosed, concealed, hidden, secreted, subterranean, unadvertised, unexposed
    opposite: open, overt, public
    near: acknowledged, avowed, aboveboard, straightforward, unconcealed, undisguised, unclassified, unrestricted, clear, evident, manifest, obvious, patent, plain

  2. working on missions in which one's objectives, activities, or true identity are not publicly revealed

    "for months she's been an undercover agent pretending to be a drug dealer"

    similar: secret
    related: covert, private, secretive, subterranean
    near: overt

Undercover (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country

    "within the city was a well-organized fifth column, and these undercovers would make themselves known as soon as the invading forces breached the city limits"

    similar: agent, asset, emissary, intelligencer, mole, operative, spook, spy, secret agent, undercover agent
    related: courier, counterspy, double agent, sleeper, infiltrator, informer, stool pigeon, spymaster, superspy

Undercover (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in surreptitiously, underground

    similar: furtively, secretively, sneakily, stealthily, surreptitiously, underground, underhand, underhanded, underhandedly, clandestinely, collusively, conspiratorially, covertly, offscreen, offstage, inwardly, sotto voce, à deux, tête-à-tête, backstage, confidentially, in camera, intimately, privately, secretly
    opposite: openly, publicly

Related Entry: Undercover agent (noun)

Undercover agent is a different word from Undercover. The synonyms below are for undercover agent, not for undercover.

  1. as in secret agent

    similar: secret agent, agent, asset, emissary, intelligencer, mole, operative, spook, spy, undercover

Related Entry: Undercover agents (noun)

Undercover agents is a different word from Undercover. The synonyms below are for undercover agents, not for undercover.

  1. as in secret agents

    similar: secret agents, agents, assets, emissaries, intelligencers, moles, operatives, spies, spooks, undercovers

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Undercover

The most common words with a similar meaning to Undercover:

backstairs, behind-the-scenes, clandestine, covert, furtive, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger, hush-hush, private, privy, secret, sneak, sneaking, sneaky, stealth, stealthy, surreptitious, underground, underhand, underhanded, agent, asset, emissary, intelligencer, mole, operative, spook, spy, secret agent, undercover agent, furtively, secretively, sneakily, stealthily, surreptitiously, underhandedly, clandestinely, collusively, conspiratorially, covertly

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Undercover

Words with the opposite meaning of Undercover:

open, overt, public, openly, publicly

Related Words for Undercover

back-channel, closed-door, off-the-books, off-the-record, classified, confidential, restricted, top secret, undisclosed, concealed, hidden, secreted, subterranean, unadvertised, unexposed, secretive, courier, counterspy, double agent, sleeper, infiltrator, informer, stool pigeon, spymaster, superspy

Near Antonyms of Undercover

acknowledged, avowed, aboveboard, straightforward, unconcealed, undisguised, unclassified, unrestricted, clear, evident, manifest, obvious, patent, plain

Word Forms of Undercover

Derived words: undercover (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Undercover

First known use: 1920

Frequently Asked Questions about Undercover

What does "Undercover" mean?

"Undercover" means acting or executed in secret; specifically, employed or engaged in spying or secret investigation. As an an adjective, a noun and an adverb, it is defined as: acting or executed in secret; specifically, employed or engaged in spying or secret investigation. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Undercover"?

Other words for "Undercover" include backstairs, behind-the-scenes, clandestine, covert, furtive, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger and hush-hush. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Undercover" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Undercover"?

There are 77 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Undercover". Common alternatives include backstairs, behind-the-scenes, clandestine, covert, furtive, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger, hush-hush, private and privy.

What is the opposite of "Undercover"?

Antonyms of "Undercover" include open, overt, public, openly and publicly. Near antonyms include acknowledged, avowed, aboveboard and straightforward.

How do you use "Undercover" in a sentence?

Examples of "Undercover" in a sentence: "an undercover operation to infiltrate the terrorist organization"; "for months she's been an undercover agent pretending to be a drug dealer"; "within the city was a well-organized fifth column, and these undercovers would make themselves known as soon as the invading forces breached the city limits".

Is "Undercover" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Undercover" can be used as an adjective, a noun and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Undercover"?

"Undercover" is pronounced /ˌən-dər-ˈkə-vər/ and divided into syllables as un·der·cov·er.

What is the origin of the word "Undercover"?

First known use: 1920.