Word
operative
Phoneticsop·er·a·tive, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɑpɝətɪv/
UK/ˈɒpəɹətˌɪv/
Definitions
01a skilled worker
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a worker who has a specific skill or job, especially in a factory or technical field.
n. a worker, typically one with a specific technical skill or function within an industrial or mechanical context.
“The factory hired several new operatives to manage the assembly line.”
“Industrial operatives were required to undergo rigorous safety training before being permitted to handle the high-pressure machinery.”
Synonyms
02a secret agent
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. someone who works secretly for a government or a large organization, like a spy.
n. a person who works for an organization, especially an intelligence agency, to carry out secret or specialized tasks.
“The intelligence operative spent months undercover in the foreign city.”
“The agency denied any knowledge of the operative's activities after the mission was compromised by local authorities.”
03functional or working
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. ready to use or currently working.
adj. functioning or in working order; currently active or in effect.
“The new security system will be fully operative by next Monday.”
“The treaty remains operative despite the recent diplomatic tensions between the two neighboring nations.”
Synonyms
04the most important word
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. the most important word in a sentence that explains the real meaning.
adj. describing a word or phrase that is the most significant or influential in a particular context.
“He said he might help, but 'might' is the operative word there.”
“In the contract's termination clause, 'unforeseen' is the operative word that determines whether the deposit is refundable.”
Usage
Usually used in the phrase 'the operative word'.
Synonyms
05relating to surgery
C1 · Advanced Medicine Technical
adj. relating to medical operations or surgery.
adj. pertaining to or consisting of a surgical operation.
“The patient's operative wound is healing well after the procedure.”
“The surgeon reviewed the operative report to confirm that no complications had occurred during the bypass.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“This month he started a full-time job there as a warehouse operative, and has been praised for his work from his bosses.” “That year, a Russian helicopter pilot who defected was killed in Spain – Russian operatives were the prime suspects.” Etymology
From Middle English operative, operatyfe, from Middle French operatif (modern French opératif) or its etymon Latin operātīvus. By surface analysis, operate + -ive.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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