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

And the old political playbook — confession, contrition, capitulation — is obviously no longer operative, as candidates find it not only possible but even advantageous to brazen their way through storms of uproar and opprobrium.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It quoted a Malian official as saying that Wagner operatives were "worse than the French. They think my men are more stupid than them. We have gone from the frying pan to the fire."

Read more on BBC

If she chooses a life outside of politics, Greene would join a host of former politicians and political operatives who have launched careers in the podcast arena.

Read more on BBC

The CIA concluded that the assassination was carried out by Saudi operatives, on order of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But the letters informing a wide swath of political insiders, from lobbyists to other operatives, is causing widespread anxiety across the Capitol.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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.