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
Synonyms
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
Roger Valdez, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
State law — rising from a 2018 ballot measure — sets the effective date of ballot measures at five days after the secretary of state certifies the election result (although some measures may lay out later dates to become operative, often the first of the year).
—Teri Figueroa, The Mercury News, 19 Dec. 2024
Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
The reality series sends a group of celebrities to undergo training with former Special Forces operatives.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for operative 
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Adjective
Political subdivisions may, in place of such standards, enact municipal health and safety standards to be operative during the housing emergency consistent with ensuring minimal public health and safety.
—Roger Valdez, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
State law — rising from a 2018 ballot measure — sets the effective date of ballot measures at five days after the secretary of state certifies the election result (although some measures may lay out later dates to become operative, often the first of the year).
—Teri Figueroa, The Mercury News, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
Several Yemeni al-Qaeda operatives failed to get visas to the U.S. because they were viewed as potential economic migrants, McDermott and Meyer write.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
The reality series sends a group of celebrities to undergo training with former Special Forces operatives.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for operative
Dictionary Entries Near operative
Cite this Entry
“Operative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operative. Accessed 18 Jan. 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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