Search Result:operative
KK Pronunciation
〔 ˋɑpәˏretIv,ˋɑpәrәtIv 〕
Pronunciation
〔 ˊɒpәrәtiv,ˊɒpәreitiv 〕
Overview of noun operative
The noun operative has 2 senses
- secret agent, intelligence officer, intelligence agent, operative -- (a person secretly employed in espionage for a government)
- private detective, PI, private eye, private investigator, operative, shamus, sherlock -- (someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information)
Overview of adj operative
The adj operative has 4 senses
- operative -- (being in force or having or exerting force; "operative regulations"; "the major tendencies operative in the American political system")
- surgical, operative -- (relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine; "a surgical appendix"; "a surgical procedure"; "operative dentistry")
- operative -- (effective; producing a desired effect; "the operative word")
- running, operative, functional, working -- ((of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing; "in running (or working) order"; "a functional set of brakes")