operative meaning and definition

OPERATIVE noun

Definition of operative (noun)

1. a person secretly employed in espionage for a government
   • synonyms: intelligence agent, intelligence officer, secret agent
2. someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information
   • synonyms: PI, private detective, private eye, private investigator, shamus, sherlock

OPERATIVE adjective

Definition of operative (adjective)

1. being in force or having or exerting force
   • "operative regulations"; "the major tendencies operative in the American political system"
   • antonym: inoperative
2. relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine
   • "a surgical appendix"; "a surgical procedure"; "operative dentistry"
   • synonyms: surgical
   • antonym: medical
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"; "a functional set of brakes"
   • synonyms: functional, running, working