operative

1 of 2

adjective

op·​er·​a·​tive ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv  ˈä-pə-ˌrā- 

1

a

: producing an appropriate effect : efficacious

operative techniques

b

: most significant or essential

the operative word in a phrase

the operative facts

2

: exerting force or influence : operating

an operative statute

3

a

: having to do with physical operations (as of machines)

operative skills

b

: working

an operative craftsman

4

: based on or consisting of an operation

operative dentistry

The disease may require operative treatment.

operatively adverb

operativeness noun

operative

2 of 2

noun

: operator: such as

a

: artisan, mechanic

b

: a secret agent

c

: private investigator

d

: a person who works toward achieving the objectives of a larger interest

political operatives

Synonyms

Adjective

• active
• alive
• functional
• functioning
• going
• live
• living
• on
• operating
• operational
• running
• working

Noun

• agent
• asset
• emissary
• intelligencer
• mole
• spook
• spy
• undercover

Examples of operative in a Sentence

Adjective

The factory must pass inspection before it becomes operative.

The telephone system is now fully operative.

If I go, I will bring a salad. “If,” however, is the operative word, since I am not sure that I can go.

Noun

CIA operatives take terrible risks to find out the secrets of foreign countries.

set in the 1930s, the novel is about a washed-out operative working for a third-rate detective agency

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

At Alex Mill, restraint seems to be the operative word. —David Moin, WWD, 18 Nov. 2024

Read: The controversial book at the center of Charlie Hebdo’s latest issue The operative verb is wander. —Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 24 Oct. 2024

Noun

The film centers on an ex-special ops operative who investigates a cybercrime syndicate after a young woman falls victim to a scam. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Dec. 2024

Along with billing itself as the world's largest provider of canine detections, Allied provides armed operatives that Kucera said have been in more demand the last 18 months and really since societal tensions heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English operatif "active, working," borrowed from Late Latin operātīvus, from operātus, past participle of operārī "to work, be efficacious" + Latin -īvus -ive — more at operate

Noun

derivative of operative entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

circa 1810, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

operative

1 of 2 adjective

op·​er·​a·​tive ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv 

ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-

1

: producing a normal or desired effect

2

: being in operation

operative

2 of 2 noun

1

: operator sense 1

2

a

: a secret agent : spy

b

: detective entry 2

Medical Definition

operative

adjective

op·​er·​a·​tive ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv  ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt- 

: of, relating to, involving, or resulting from an operation

operative treatment

operative mortality rates