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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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   • E

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   • E

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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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   An operative is a person who is employed in or is skilled in a certain branch of work. Operative is generally used to mean a worker, but in some industries, an operative is specifically a representative or a manager. In the fields of espionage and tactics, an operative is almost always a spy or agent working secretly for an organization.

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.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.

6. 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.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   An operative is a worker, especially one who does work with their hands. In an automated car plant there is not a human operative to be seen. American English : operative / ˈɒpərətɪv, -əreɪtɪv /

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishMeaning of operative – Learner’s Dictionary - Cambridge...

   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.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › operativeoperative | meaning of operative in Longman Dictionary of...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › operative

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

10. www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionaryOPERATIVE - All you need to know about it | Collins English...

    www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary

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    A system or service that is operative is working or having an effect. [formal] [...] 2. An operative is a worker, especially one who does work with their hands. [formal] [...] 3. An operative is someone who works for a government agency such as the intelligence service. [mainly US] [...] More. Synonyms of 'operative'

11. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitionoperative noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

    www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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    Definition of operative noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.