Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Functioning effectively; in working order: Describes something, especially a machine or system, that is currently working or capable of working.
   • Producing a desired effect; effective: Refers to something that is crucial or key in producing a specific outcome.
   • Relating to or involving surgery: Pertains to medical treatment performed by surgical means.
   • Having force or being in effect: Describes a law, rule, or principle that is currently active and influential.

2. Noun:

   • A detective or private investigator: A person employed to collect information or investigate cases.
   • A secret agent or spy: A person covertly employed, typically by a government, to obtain secret information.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The emergency brakes are now fully operative. (The brakes are in working order.)
  • In that sentence, "urgent" is the operative word. ("Urgent" is the key, most important word.)
  • He underwent an operative procedure to remove the tumor. (He had a surgical procedure.)
  • Several economic factors are operative in the current crisis. (Several economic factors are active and influential in the crisis.)

• Noun:

  • The company hired a private operative to look into the matter. (The company hired a detective.)
  • She worked as an operative for a foreign intelligence service. (She worked as a spy.)

Advanced Usage

• "The operative word": A phrase used to highlight the most significant or key word in a statement.

  • The plan is *flexible—and that's the operative word.* (The key aspect of the plan is its flexibility.)

• "To become operative": To come into effect or start functioning.

  • The new law will become operative next month. (The new law will take effect next month.)

Variants and Related Words

• Operate (verb): To function or to control the functioning of something; to perform surgery.
  • Do you know how to operate this machinery?
• Operation (noun): The fact or process of functioning; a surgical procedure; a planned activity.
  • The factory is now in operation.
• Operator (noun): A person who operates equipment; a person who runs a business.
  • She is a skilled machine operator.

Synonyms

• Adjective (functioning): Functional, working, active, operational.
• Adjective (key): Crucial, key, significant, pivotal.
• Noun (detective): Investigator, private eye, sleuth.
• Noun (spy): Agent, secret agent, intelligence officer.

Related Phrases

• Covert operative: A secret agent whose work and identity are concealed.
  • The covert operative gathered information for years without being detected.
• Field operative: An agent who works actively in a specific area, often abroad.
  • He was sent abroad as a field operative.

Adjective

1. (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing
   • in running (or working) order
   • a functional set of brakes
2. effective; producing a desired effect
   • the operative word
3. relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine
   • a surgical appendix
   • a surgical procedure
   • operative dentistry
4. being in force or having or exerting force
   • operative regulations
   • the major tendencies operative in the American political system

Noun

1. someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information
2. a person secretly employed in espionage for a government