operative
2 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of OPERATIVE
1
:
ready for use
:
capable of being used
—
opposite inoperative
-
The factory must pass inspection before it becomes operative.
-
The telephone system is now fully operative.
2
:
most important
-
If I go, I will bring a salad. “If,” however, is the operative word, since I am not sure that I can go.
2
operative
/ˈɑːpərətɪv/
noun
plural
operatives
2
operative
/ˈɑːpərətɪv/
noun
plural
operatives
Britannica Dictionary definition of OPERATIVE
[count]
1
chiefly US
:
a person who does secret work for a government or political organization
-
political operatives [=spies]
-
CIA/FBI operatives [=agents]
2
:
a person who does work that involves using tools, operating machinery, etc.
-
factory operatives
-
a skilled operative
