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1. Dictionary

   op·er·a·tive

   /ˈäp(ə)rədiv/

   adjective

   • 1. functioning or having effect: "the transmitter is operative" Similar in forcein operationeffectivein effectvalidfunctioningworkingrunningup and runningin operationin usein actiongoingoperationalworkableserviceablefunctionalusablein working order/conditionviableOpposite invalidout of order
   • ▪ (of a word) having the most relevance or significance in a phrase or sentence: "a young man, and the operative word is young, should go into the armed services at around seventeen" Similar keysignificantrelevantapplicablepertinentappositegermaneaproposcrucialcriticalmainchiefmajorcentralpivotalfundamentalvitalimportantessentialOpposite irrelevant
   • 2. relating to surgery: "they had wounds needing operative treatment"

   noun

   • 1. a worker, especially a skilled one in a manufacturing industry. Similar machinist(machine) operatormechanicengineerdriverworkerworkman(factory) handartisancraftsmancraftswomanblue-collar workermachine minder
   • ▪ a private detective or secret agent. Similar agentsecret agentundercover agentspymoleplantdouble agentcounterspyinformal:spookarchaic:intelligencerarchaic, informal:beagledetectiveprivate detectiveinvestigatorprivate investigatorsleuthshadowenquiry agentinformal:private eyetailinformal, dated:gumshoebogeydick

   Word Origin late Middle English: from late Latin operativus, from Latin operat- ‘done by labor’, from the verb operari (see operate).

   Derivatives

   • 1. operatively adverb
   • 2. operativeness noun

   Scrabble Points: 14

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › operativeOperative Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › operative

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   The meaning of OPERATIVE is producing an appropriate effect : efficacious. How to use operative in a sentence.

3. www.dictionary.com › browse › operativeOPERATIVE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › operative

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   having force; being in effect or operation: laws operative in this city. effective or efficacious. Synonyms: serviceable, effectual. engaged in, concerned with, or pertaining to work or productive activity. significant; key: The operative word in that sentence is “sometimes.”

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishOPERATIVE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   OPERATIVE definition: 1. a worker, especially one who is skilled in working with their hands: 2. a person who works…. Learn more.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › operativeOperative - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › operative

   Definitions of operative. adjective. effective; producing a desired effect. “the operative word” synonyms: important, significant. important in effect or meaning. adjective. being in force or having or exerting force. “ operative regulations” “the major tendencies operative in the American political system” synonyms: operant.

6. www.thefreedictionary.com › operativeOperative - definition of operative by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › operative

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   1. in force, effect, or operation. 2. exerting force or influence. 3. producing a desired effect; significant: the operative word. 4. (Surgery) of or relating to a surgical procedure. n.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishOPERATIVE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   An operative is someone who works for a government agency such as the intelligence service.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishOPERATIVE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   OPERATIVE definition: 1. working or being used: 2. someone who does secret work for a government or other organization: . Learn more.

9. www.dictionary.com › browse › operativeOPERATIVE Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › operative

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   having force; being in effect or operation: laws operative in this city. effective or efficacious. engaged in, concerned with, or pertaining to work or productive activity.

10. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › operativeoperative - Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online

    www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › operative

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    operative meaning, definition, what is operative: working and able to be used: Learn more.

11. en.wiktionary.org › wiki › operativeoperative - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

    en.wiktionary.org › wiki › operative

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    Jun 2, 2024 · 1988 April 2, Phillip Brian Harper, “Lesbians and gay men of color, speak out!”, in Gay Community News, page 9: This call is operative not merely on the level of abstract theory. Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious. an operative dose, rule, or penalty.