operative

1 of 2

adjective

op·​er·​a·​tive ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv  ˈä-pə-ˌrā- 

1

a

: producing an appropriate effect : efficacious

operative techniques

b

: most significant or essential

the operative word in a phrase

the operative facts

2

: exerting force or influence : operating

an operative statute

3

a

: having to do with physical operations (as of machines)

operative skills

b

: working

an operative craftsman

4

: based on or consisting of an operation

operative dentistry

The disease may require operative treatment.

operatively adverb

operativeness noun

operative

2 of 2

noun

: operator: such as

a

: artisan, mechanic

b

: a secret agent

c

: private investigator

d

: a person who works toward achieving the objectives of a larger interest

political operatives

Synonyms

Adjective

• operating
• operational

Noun

• spy
• agent

Examples of operative in a Sentence

Adjective

The factory must pass inspection before it becomes operative.

The telephone system is now fully operative.

If I go, I will bring a salad. “If,” however, is the operative word, since I am not sure that I can go.

Noun

CIA operatives take terrible risks to find out the secrets of foreign countries.

set in the 1930s, the novel is about a washed-out operative working for a third-rate detective agency

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The operative part of cruising is movement: to sail to and from a place with ease. —Hazlitt, 25 June 2025

Fresh off her Oscar win for 2001's Monster's Ball, Halle Berry's next step was to join the James Bond franchise in 2002's Die Another Day as NSA operative Jinx. —EW.com, 21 June 2025

Noun

According to a 1996 Los Angeles Times piece, an 18th Street operative pitched his plan for taking over Orange County in a back alley in Cudahy, with two dozen associates in tow. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2025

The Mossad, Israel’s equivalent of the CIA, had personnel in Iran ready for the launch of Operation Rising Lion, something that was revealed in unprecedented fashion when the agency released video of its operatives at work. —Rachel Wolf , Yonat Friling, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English operatif "active, working," borrowed from Late Latin operātīvus, from operātus, past participle of operārī "to work, be efficacious" + Latin -īvus -ive — more at operate

Noun

derivative of operative entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

circa 1810, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for operative

• inoperative
• uncooperative

Kids Definition

operative

1 of 2 adjective

op·​er·​a·​tive ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv 

ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-

1

: producing a normal or desired effect

2

: being in operation

operative

2 of 2 noun

1

: operator sense 1

2

a

: a secret agent : spy

b

: detective entry 2

Medical Definition

operative

adjective

op·​er·​a·​tive ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv  ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt- 

: of, relating to, involving, or resulting from an operation

operative treatment

operative mortality rates