Dictionary definition · operative
noun
- a person secretly employed in espionage for a government
- someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information and assist in criminal investigations
adjective
- being in force or having or exerting force"operative regulations"
- relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine"a surgical appendix"
- effective; producing a desired effect"the operative word"
- (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing"in running (or working) order"
Similar words
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).