1. Effective; producing a desired effect
   "the operative word"
    
2. (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing
   "in operative order";
   - running, functional, working
    
3. Being in force, having or exerting force
   "operative regulations"; "the major tendencies operative in the American political system"
    
4. Relating to, requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine
   "operative dentistry";
   - surgical

1. A person secretly employed in espionage for a government
   "The operative gathered crucial information about the enemy's plans";
   - secret agent, intelligence officer, intelligence agent, spy, spook [informal]
    
2. Someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information and assist in criminal investigations
   "The jealous husband hired an operative to follow his wife";
   - private detective, PI, private eye, private investigator, shamus, sherlock
    
3. A worker, esp. one employed to perform a particular skilled job
   "The company hired several operatives to handle the complex machinery"

Derived forms: operatives

See also: effective, functioning, good, important, in effect, in force, in operation, operant, operating, operational, postoperative, preoperative, significant, working

Type of: agent, detective

Antonym: inoperative, medical

Encyclopedia: Operative