Words / B2

OP-uh-r-uh-tiv/ˈɒpərətɪv/

Operative means working or in force, or (noun) a worker or agent: the rule is operative; a factory operative. Operational is about day-to-day running (already elsewhere); operate is the verb. The new tariff is operative from Monday. Mix-up: operation (surgery or a planned job). Do not call a broken printer operative.

Meaning

Working or in force; as a noun, a worker or agent.

Examples

• “The new tariff is operative from Monday, the notice said.”
• “A factory operative featured in the source, which is the worker sense.”

Good to know

operative from + date; the operative word; a factory / intelligence operative. Close: operational. Verb: operate. Law, news, and workplaces. In force, or a named worker/agent.

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