operative

/ˈɑpɚətɪv/ · 4 syllables

Meaning

adjective

1. being in force or having or exerting force
   “operative regulations”
2. relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine
   “a surgical appendix”
3. effective; producing a desired effect
   “the operative word”
4. (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing
   “in running (or working) order”

noun

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

Synonyms for operative

• operant
• effective
• operational
• working
• surgical
• preoperative
• postoperative
• significant
• running
• functional
• functioning
• secret agent
• intelligence officer
• intelligence agent
• private detective
• PI
• private eye
• private investigator
• shamus
• sherlock

Antonyms of operative

• inoperative

Words that rhyme with operative

• uncooperative
• inoperative