operative

adjective op·er·a·tive \ ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv , ˈä-pə-ˌrā- \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Examples: operative in a Sentence

Definition of operative

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.

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operatively

adverb

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operativeness

noun

See operative defined for English-language learners

See operative defined for kids

Examples of operative in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of operative from the Web

Since February, Nelson has been working at Phillips Manor Nursing Home in Lynn as part of her school’s co-operative education program.

— julia preszler, BostonGlobe.com, "Determination drives Lynn Tech’s Nelson from homeless to scholarship winner," 8 June 2018
And then, interestingly, aspirin also reduces the incidences of fever in the post-operative period.

— sandy bauers, Philly.com, "How high-tech genomics - and simple aspirin - could make your joint replacement better," 17 May 2018
Profuse post-operative bleeding forced the doctor to perform another procedure that did not fix the damage, prosecutors said.

— Fox News, "New York doctor pleads guilty in fatal abortion," 8 May 2018
Profuse post-operative bleeding forced the doctor to perform another procedure that did not fix the damage, prosecutors said.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "New York doctor pleads guilty in woman's botched abortion death," 7 May 2018
Profuse post-operative bleeding forced the doctor to perform another procedure that did not fix the damage, prosecutors said.

— Washington Post, "Doctor pleads guilty in fatal abortion," 5 May 2018
And the food at Genroku was really cheap, which was the operative word.

— New York Times, "What New York Was Like in the Early ’80s — Hour by Hour," 22 Apr. 2018
The operative question is thus whether players have a contractual right, under the relevant CBA, to receive sports betting right and integrity fees.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "How the Supreme Court's Sports Betting Ruling Affects Leagues, Players and Fans," 14 May 2018
Maybe: The filmmaker is in talks to direct 20th Century Fox's graphic novel adaptation Queen & Country, which centers on a British Secret Intelligence Service operative named Tara Chace.

— ray rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, "What Matters in Hollywood Today," 16 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'operative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of operative

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

operative Synonyms

operative

noun

Definition of operative

: 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

See operative defined for English-language learners

Examples of operative in a Sentence

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