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: investigator, agent

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

Derived Forms

• ˈoperatively, adverb
• ˈoperativeness, noun

Other Words From

• oper·a·tive·ly adverb
• oper·a·tive·ness op·er·a·tiv·i·ty [op-er-, uh, -, tiv, -i-tee], noun
• inter·oper·a·tive noun adjective
• non·oper·a·tive adjective
• un·oper·a·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of operative¹

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

Example Sentences

“I am not a strategist. I am not a party operative,” she said from her Capitol Hill office.

From Los Angeles Times

European prosecutors and U.S. officials say that sabotage was carried out by Ukrainian operatives.

From New York Times

I'm pretty sure that's no longer operative in American politics but I suppose it's worth a try.

From Salon

Federal agents, including undercover operatives, were in the ballroom during the assassination and took no steps to intervene, the lawsuit alleges.

From BBC

This silence, evoked by the title, describes the organizational omerta under which the IRA operated and the unspoken agreement between its operatives and the people they lived among.

From Salon

Related Words

• operational
• usable

More About Operative

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.

Where does operative come from?

The first records of the term operative come from around the 1590s. It ultimately comes from the Latin operātus. 

You might also hear operative used to mean “key” or “central,” especially as in the context of literature or grammar. In this case, something operative is required or unavoidable for the completion or accomplishment of something. In grammar, an operative word is one that gives the sentence its specific meaning or emphasizes the main point.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to operative?

• operatively (adverb)
• operativeness (noun)
• interoperative (adjective, noun)
• nonoperative (adjective)
• inoperative (adjective)

What are some synonyms for operative?

• worker
• spy
• detective
• usable
• operational

What are some words that share a root or word element with operative? 

• operate
• operational
• operator
• operating
• operation

What are some words that often get used in discussing operative?

• espionage
• investigation
• primary
• work

How is operative used in real life?

Operative is a common word with several meanings.

Love you all… Talk to you in 24 hrs- unplug, do something meaningful- "do" is the operative word;) I'm stoked! #unplug #Thrive

— Ian Somerhalder (@iansomerhalder) March 7, 2014

ADVERTISEMENT: Do you have a terrible sense of rhythm and timing? If so.. have you ever considered a career as a CO2 cannon operative at festivals and clubs?

— Gorgon City (@GorgonCity) September 2, 2018

"Going to your happy place" reduces operative pain.

— UberFacts (@UberFacts) July 18, 2014

Try using operative!

Is operative used correctly in the following sentence?

The operative word in the stirring directions is ‘continuously,’ otherwise the mixture will burn.