operative

1 of 2

adjective

op·​er·​a·​tive ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv How to pronounce operative (audio) ˈä-pə-ˌrā- How to pronounce operative (audio)
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
b
: a secret agent
d
: a person who works toward achieving the objectives of a larger interest
political operatives

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
Moreover, some of the scientists are plagued by strange visions, seeing numbers that appear to be counting down – toward what, being the operative question. Brian Lowry, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 The party hired veteran operative Lis Smith, widely known for her aggressive work bolstering then-candidate Pete Buttigieg during the 2020 presidential race. Will McDuffie, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2024 Something special goes away While compartmentalizing was the operative word for Pac-12 coaches in their final group get-together before the conference splits four ways, a reflective, almost melancholy mood, could not be avoided given what is being lost in women’s basketball. Jeff Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 Ex-Ohio Republican Party leader Matt Borges did not bribe political operative Tyler Fehrman for insider details about a campaign to block the nuclear bailout because Fehrman's employer was not harmed. Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2024 That has become the operative deadline for achieving a hostage deal. Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024 Disappointment was the operative word for Team USA, which was hoping to reverse the momentum after seeing Team Canada come back from a 3-0 series deficit to set up Sunday’s deciding game. Dean Spiros, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2024 There could be at least one more on the horizon since the Hornets expect to be fully operative and engaged in the market leading into the Feb. 8 deadline. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2024 They're being marketed as dietary supplements, but don't fit the operative legal definition of these supplements. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 28 Dec. 2023
Noun
Meanwhile, on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, where daily skirmishes persist with Hezbollah, the IDF has gained the advantage, having eliminated more than 200 of the group’s commanders and operatives. Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024 For a long time, political operatives believed that Biden’s fortunes were tied to the economy. Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2024 To safeguard him from a terror group led by the heinous Jacob Pearce, Taleb teams with street-smart MI6 operative Zara Taylor. John Hopewell, Variety, 27 Feb. 2024 But an order by MBS to arrest Khashoggi had been apparently misunderstood by Saudi operatives. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2024 Most people recognize the need to move on from the replacement fantasy, said the operative, who requested anonymity to avoid antagonizing party officials. Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024 The storyline evolved with each release, pushing forward into a dark future full of megalithic corporations, shadows full of deadly operatives and a city full of high tech and low life. Rob Wieland, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 Proponents battled with the state's attorney general and secretary of state over the description of the ballot measure and faced a competing proposal from a GOP political operative who was pushing for a more modest initiative. Jason Rosenbaum, NPR, 28 Feb. 2024 The Ukrainians also helped the Americans go after the Russian operatives who meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Michael Schwirtz, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'operative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of operative was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near operative

Cite this Entry

“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operative. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

operative

1 of 2 adjective
op·​er·​a·​tive ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv How to pronounce operative (audio)
ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-
1
: producing a normal or desired effect
2
: being in operation

operative

2 of 2 noun
1
2
a
: a secret agent : spy

Medical Definition

operative

adjective
op·​er·​a·​tive ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv How to pronounce operative (audio) ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt- How to pronounce operative (audio)
: of, relating to, involving, or resulting from an operation
operative treatment
operative mortality rates

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