stealth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to formal, often technical or literary.
Quick answer
What does “stealth” mean?
The act of moving or behaving in a secretive way to avoid being seen or heard.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of moving or behaving in a secretive way to avoid being seen or heard.
Refers to technologies or methods designed to avoid detection, especially in military, surveillance, or business contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning; American English more frequently associates it with military technology (e.g., stealth bombers), while British English may use it in broader covert contexts.
Connotations
Both convey secrecy, evasion, and often a tactical advantage.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English due to technological and pop culture references, but widely used in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “stealth” in a Sentence
by stealthuse stealthemploy stealthoperate with stealthVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stealth” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The spy stealthed through the embassy corridors unnoticed.
American English
- Gamers often stealth past enemies to complete missions quietly.
adverb
British English
- They advanced by stealth under cover of darkness.
American English
- The team moved with stealth to avoid alarms.
adjective
British English
- The navy's new vessel incorporates stealth features.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Startups often launch in stealth mode to develop products without competitive interference.
Academic
Studies on stealth materials explore radar-absorbent properties for aerospace applications.
Everyday
He used stealth to sneak into the kitchen for a midnight snack.
Technical
Stealth aircraft utilize angled surfaces to deflect radar signals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stealth”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stealth”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stealth”
- Using 'stealth' as a standard verb; prefer 'move stealthily' or informal 'stealth' in specific contexts.
- Mispronouncing as 'steel-th' instead of the correct /stelθ/ or /stɛlθ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily a noun; verb use is informal or niche, often in gaming or tech jargon.
'Stealth' focuses on physical concealment or evasion, while 'secrecy' relates more to hiding information or intentions.
British English uses /stelθ/ with a longer vowel, while American English uses /stɛlθ/ with a shorter, more open vowel.
Yes, it can metaphorically describe subtle actions, like stealth marketing or stealth economic policies.
The act of moving or behaving in a secretive way to avoid being seen or heard.
Stealth: in British English it is pronounced /stelθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /stɛlθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “by stealth”
- “under the cloak of stealth”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'steal' + 'health' – but remember, stealth involves stealing away quietly, not related to health.
Conceptual Metaphor
Stealth is metaphorically viewed as invisibility or ghost-like evasion.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'stealth' most appropriately used?