operative

[ op-er-uh-tiv, op-ruh-tiv, op-uh-rey-tiv ]

/ ˈɒp ər ə tɪv, ˈɒp rə tɪv, ˈɒp əˌreɪ tɪv /

noun

a person engaged, employed, or skilled in some branch of work, especially productive or industrial work; worker.

a detective.

a secret agent; spy.

adjective

operating, or exerting force, power, or influence.

having force; being in effect or operation: laws operative in this city.

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.

Nearby words

operationalism, operationalization, operationalize, operations research, operations room, operative, operatively, operatize, operator, operator gene, operatory

Origin of operative

1590–1600; < Middle French operatif < Latin operāt(us) (see operate) + Middle French -if -ive

SYNONYMS FOR operative

1 workman, factory hand.

2 investigator, agent.

6 effectual, serviceable.

Related forms

op·er·a·tive·ly, adverbop·er·a·tive·ness, op·er·a·tiv·i·ty

[op-er-uh-tiv-i-tee] /ˌɒp ər əˈtɪv ɪ ti/, nounin·ter·op·er·a·tive, noun, adjectivenon·op·er·a·tive, adjective

un·op·er·a·tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for interoperative

This is a world of progressive decentralization and interoperative possibilities.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin

British Dictionary definitions for interoperative

operative

/ (ˈɒpərətɪv) /

adjective

in force, effect, or operation

exerting force or influence

producing a desired effect; significantthe operative word

of or relating to a surgical procedure

noun

a worker, esp one with a special skill

US a private detective

Derived Formsoperatively, adverboperativeness 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

Word Origin and History for interoperative (1 of 2)

operative

"worker, operator," 1809, from operative (adj.); sense of "secret agent, spy" is first attested 1930, probably from its use by the Pinkerton Detective Agency as a title for their private detectives (1905).

Word Origin and History for interoperative (1 of 2)

operative

adj.

"producing the intended effect," early 15c., from Old French operatif (14c.) or directly from Late Latin operativus "creative, formative," from operat-, past participle stem of operari (see operation). Weakened sense of "significant, important" is from 1955.

Medicine definitions for interoperative

operative

[ ŏp′ər-ə-tĭv, -ə-rā′tĭv, ŏp′rə- ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or resulting from a surgical operation.

Functioning effectively; efficient.