English dictionary



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English adjective: operative

1. operative being in force or having or exerting force


SamplesOperative regulations.
The major tendencies operative in the American political system.


Similareffective, good, in effect, in force, in operation, operant, operating, operational, working


Antonymsinoperative

2. operative relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine


SamplesA surgical appendix.
A surgical procedure.
Operative dentistry.


Synonymssurgical


Similarpostoperative, preoperative


Antonymsmedical

3. operative effective; producing a desired effect


SamplesThe operative word.


Similarimportant, significant


Antonymsunimportant, insignificant

4. operative (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing


SamplesIn running (or working) order.
A functional set of brakes.


Synonymsfunctional, running, working


Similarfunctioning


Antonymsmalfunctioning, nonfunctional


English noun: operative

1. operative (person) a person secretly employed in espionage for a government


Synonymsintelligence agent, intelligence officer, secret agent


Broader (hypernym)agent


Narrower (hyponym)agent provocateur, agent-in-place, bridge agent, case officer, codetalker, foot, NOC, provocateur, spy, undercover agent, walk-in, windtalker

2. operative (person) someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information


SynonymsPI, private detective, private eye, private investigator, shamus, sherlock


Broader (hypernym)detective


Narrower (hyponym)hotel detective, house detective, house dick, inquiry agent, store detective









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