operative

¹op·er·a·tive

adj \ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv, ˈä-pə-ˌrā-\

Definition of OPERATIVE

1

a : producing an appropriate effect : efficacious b : most significant or essential <the operative word in a phrase>

2

: exerting force or influence : operating

3

a : having to do with physical operations (as of machines) b : working <an operative craftsman>

4

: based on or consisting of an operation <operative dentistry>

— op·er·a·tive·ly adverb

— op·er·a·tive·ness noun

Examples of OPERATIVE

1. The factory must pass inspection before it becomes operative.
2. The telephone system is now fully operative.
3. If I go, I will bring a salad. “If,” however, is the operative word, since I am not sure that I can go.

First Known Use of OPERATIVE

15th century

Related to OPERATIVE

Synonyms: alive, functional, functioning, going, live, living, on, operating, operational, active, running, working

Antonyms: broken, dead, inactive, inoperative, kaput (also kaputt), nonactivated, nonfunctional, nonfunctioning, nonoperating, nonoperational, nonoperative

Related Words: effective, effectual; employable, operable, usable (also useable), viable, workable; performing, producing, productive, serving, useful, yielding; astir, bustling, busy, dynamic, flourishing, humming, roaring, thriving

Near Antonyms: deactivated, decommissioned; ineffective, ineffectual, useless; inoperable, unusable, unworkable; arrested, asleep, dormant, fallow, idle, inert, latent, lifeless, nonproductive, quiescent, sleepy, stagnating, unproductive, vegetating

see all synonyms and antonyms

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