I. op ‧ e ‧ ra ‧ tive 1 /ˈɒp ə rətɪv $ ˈɑːp ə rə-, ˈɑːpəreɪ-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ operation , ↑ cooperation , ↑ operative , ↑ cooperative , ↑ operator ; adjective : ↑ operational , ↑ operative , ↑ cooperative ≠ ↑ uncooperative ; verb : ↑ operate , ↑ cooperate ; adverb : ↑ operationally , ↑ cooperatively ]
1 . working and able to be used OPP inoperative :
Only one runway is operative.
the steps to be taken before the scheme can become operative
⇨ ↑ operational (1)
2 . the operative word used when you repeat a word from a previous sentence to draw attention to its importance:
The new system offers fast solutions. Fast being the operative word.
3 . relating to a medical operation:
patients undergoing operative procedures
II. operative 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ operation , ↑ cooperation , ↑ operative , ↑ cooperative , ↑ operator ; adjective : ↑ operational , ↑ operative , ↑ cooperative ≠ ↑ uncooperative ; verb : ↑ operate , ↑ cooperate ; adverb : ↑ operationally , ↑ cooperatively ]
1 . a worker, especially a factory worker – used in business:
the company’s overseas operatives
2 . someone who does work that is secret in some way, especially for a government organization
CIA/FBI/intelligence etc operatives