operative

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

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

SEE SYNONYMS FOR operative ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

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.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR operative ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Words nearby operative

operational amplifier, operational calculus, operationalism, operations research, operations room, operative, operatize, operator, operator gene, operatory, opercle

Example sentences from the Web for operative

“It seems to me that the operative questions are political and strategic, not legal,” said the former administration official.

Cyberwar on North Korea Could Be Illegal |Shane Harris |December 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
“That was a good sign,” said one operative helping to lay the groundwork for a Hillary run.

The Race to Be Hillary’s Karl Rove |David Freedlander |November 26, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Make way not for ducklings but for relentless darkness: so the operative mantra goes.

The Internet Embedded in Your Head |J.T. Price |November 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
However, one prominent Iowa Democratic operative was left shaking his head at the mailer.

Pro-Life Group Sends Over The Top Mailer |Ben Jacobs |October 31, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

And McCrum, whose investigation led to the indictment, is no Democratic operative.

Yes, Rick Perry Could End Up Doing Time |Dean Obeidallah |August 22, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In this case, the diaper wrapped about the body of Morello's baby attracted the experienced eye of operative Gallagher.

The Barrel Mystery |William J. (William James) Flynn
Would you outline briefly the operative procedures which you performed on the Governor, please?

Warren Commission (4 of 26): Hearings Vol. IV (of 15) |The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
The operative from the folding and packing room was chairman of the Housing Committee, a strong union enthusiast.

Working With the Working Woman |Cornelia Stratton Parker
“Wasted his own time and mine,” the operative responded in immeasurable contempt.

The Crevice |William John Burns and Isabel Ostrander
All you could see at that point was the operative procedure, the cutting of the surgeon's blade in Dallas?

Warren Commission (2 of 26): Hearings Vol. II (of 15) |The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

British Dictionary definitions for operative

operative

/ (ˈɒpərətɪv) /

adjective

in force, effect, or operation

exerting force or influence

producing a desired effect; significant the operative word

of or relating to a surgical procedure

noun

a worker, esp one with a special skill

US a private detective

Derived forms of operative

operatively, adverb operativeness or operativity, noun

Medical definitions for operative

operative

[ ŏp′ər-ə-tĭv, -ə-rā′tĭv, ŏp′rə- ]

adj.

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

Functioning effectively; efficient.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

operative

noun

adjective

Origin of operative

SYNONYMS FOR operative

OTHER WORDS FROM operative

Words nearby operative

Example sentences from the Web for operative

British Dictionary definitions for operative

adjective

noun

Derived forms of operative

Medical definitions for operative

adj.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

operative

noun

adjective

Origin of operative

SYNONYMS FOR operative

OTHER WORDS FROM operative

Words nearby operative

Words related to operative

Example sentences from the Web for operative

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for operative

adjective

noun

Derived forms of operative

Medical definitions for operative

adj.

British Dictionary definitions for operative