Operative

/ˈɒp.ə.rə.tɪv/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A person who operates something, especially in a secretive or covert manner.

The operative was tasked with gathering intelligence in the region.

A person who is engaged in a particular line of work, especially in a professional or skilled capacity.

She is a skilled operative in the field of cybersecurity.

adjective

Functioning or having effect; effective.

The new policies will be operative from the beginning of next month.

Having to do with or involving workers and their working conditions.

They formed an operative committee to address labor issues.

Capable of producing a desired effect.

The operative method was successful in solving the problem.

Late Middle English: from Latin operativus, from operari ‘to work.’

operative word

The most important word or concept in a statement.

operative clause

A provision in a contract or legal document that has effect.

operative vocabulary

Words that are used actively by a person.

operation

The act or process of functioning or working.

operator

A person or organization that runs a particular business or service.

operate

To control the functioning of a machine or system.

A person involved in covert operations, often in espionage.

He’s an operative in the intelligence community.

Someone who knows the ins and outs of a system.

She’s the operative you want when you need insider information.