op·er·a·tive
ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv 
ˈä-pə-ˌrā-
ˈä-pə-ˌrā-
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
: 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
Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
The judge wrote that the operative complaint and Blackburn’s opposition brief are full of similar irrelevant insults, misstatements, and exaggerations.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Mar. 2025
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
During the Cold War, a similar ban was imposed in 1987 after a U.S. Marine in Moscow was compromised by a Soviet operative.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operative
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Adjective
Wearing sunglasses and a heavy leather trenchcoat, Fishburne showed off his action movie chops as the enigmatic operative Morpheus in the original film and the first two sequels.
—Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
The judge wrote that the operative complaint and Blackburn’s opposition brief are full of similar irrelevant insults, misstatements, and exaggerations.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
Back in 2015 Atwell had her own show, Agent Carter, back in the Agents of SHIELD era, chronicling her time as a government operative for two seasons.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
During the Cold War, a similar ban was imposed in 1987 after a U.S. Marine in Moscow was compromised by a Soviet operative.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for operative
Cite this Entry
“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operative. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
operative
1 of 2 adjective
op·er·a·tive
ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv
ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-
1
: producing a normal or desired effect
2
: being in operation
operative
2 of 2 noun1
2
a
: a secret agent : spy
Medical Definition
operative
adjective
op·er·a·tive
ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv
ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-
ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-
: of, relating to, involving, or resulting from an operation
operative treatment
operative mortality rates
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