operative
a person engaged, employed, or skilled in some branch of work, especially productive or industrial work; worker.
a detective.
a secret agent; spy.
effective or efficacious.
engaged in, concerned with, or pertaining to work or productive activity.
significant; key: The operative word in that sentence is “sometimes.”
Medicine/Medical. concerned with, involving, or pertaining to surgical operations.
Origin of operative
1Other words for operative
1 | workman, factory hand |
2 | investigator, agent |
6 | effectual, serviceable |
Other words from operative
- op·er·a·tive·ly, adverb
- op·er·a·tive·ness, op·er·a·tiv·i·ty [op-er-uh-tiv-i-tee], /ˌɒp ər əˈtɪv ɪ ti/, noun
- in·ter·op·er·a·tive, noun, adjective
- non·op·er·a·tive, adjective
- un·op·er·a·tive, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use operative in a sentence
This is a world of progressive decentralization and interoperative possibilities.
The Civilization of Illiteracy | Mihai Nadin
British Dictionary definitions for operative
/ (ˈɒpərətɪv) /
in force, effect, or operation
exerting force or influence
producing a desired effect; significant: the operative word
of or relating to a surgical procedure
a worker, esp one with a special skill
US a private detective
Derived forms of operative
- operatively, adverb
- operativeness or operativity, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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