operative

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

noun

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

   Synonyms: workman

2. a detective.

   Synonyms: agent, investigator

3. a secret agent; spy.

adjective

1. operating, operating, or exerting force, power, or influence.

2. having force; being in effect or operation.

   laws operative in this city.

3. effective or efficacious.

   Synonyms: serviceable, effectual

4. engaged in, concerned with, or pertaining to work or productive activity.

5. significant; key.

   The operative word in that sentence is “sometimes.”

6. Medicine/Medical.,  concerned with, involving, or pertaining to surgical operations.

operative

/ ˈɒpərətɪv /

adjective

1. in force, effect, or operation

2. exerting force or influence

3. producing a desired effect; significant

   the operative word

4. of or relating to a surgical procedure

noun

1. a worker, esp one with a special skill

2. a private detective

Other Word Forms

• operatively adverb
• operativeness noun
• operativity noun
• interoperative noun
• nonoperative adjective
• unoperative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of operative¹

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

Example Sentences

In a scenario straight out of Dashiell Hammett’s early stories, a detective agency operative named Hicks McTaggart gets an assignment to chase down the runaway heiress to a major cheese fortune.

From Los Angeles Times

The Israeli air force says it has hit approximately 120 targets across the Strip since Friday - including, the military says, "buildings used by terror groups, terror operatives and other infrastructure".

From BBC

Some of the operatives who helped state Rep. Zohran Mamdani secure the Democratic nomination for mayor in New York City are fanning out to assist like-minded Democrats in their own races.

From Salon

Loyalty is rewarded, dissent is punished and the line between reporter and political operative is obliterated.

From Salon

Our undercover reporter Ana, and 34 other recruits, were asked to attend secret online seminars which would "prepare operatives".

From BBC

Related Words

• operational 
• usable 

When To Use

What does operative mean?

An operative is a person who is employed in or is skilled in a certain branch of work.Operative is generally used to mean a worker, but in some industries, an operative is specifically a representative or a manager.In the fields of espionage and tactics, an operative is almost always a spy or agent working secretly for an organization.Operative also means detective when used in reference to the police force or private investigation teams.As an adjective, operative often means exerting power or influence. Something that is operative is binding or in effect, such as operative laws or an operative organization that establishes rules.In medicine, operative describes something related to a surgical operation. Operative pain, for example, is pain that occurs from having an operation.Example: A public relations operative informed us that there is an emerging crisis.