operative

Everyday

1. Working, in action: «The new system is now operative.» tree →
2. (noun) A worker, especially one who works machines in a factory. tree →
3. (noun) A secret agent or spy. tree →
4. To do with a medical operation: «post-operative care». tree →

In the lessons

Formal and news word. «The operative word» means the most important word in a sentence. In hospitals: pre-operative (before surgery) and post-operative (after). In spy stories, an operative is an agent on a mission.

Examples

• The new lift will be operative from Monday. tree →
• The factory hired ten more operatives. tree →
• The spy film followed a secret operative in Paris. tree →
• «Free» was the operative word in the advert. tree →
• After his operation Grandad needed post-operative care. tree →
• The rules became operative at the start of term. tree →

Note

Adjective and countable noun. Related: operate, operation, operator. Phrase: «the operative word» = the key word. Use «an» before it.