EN

Synonyms for operative

  • adjective
  • noun

Most common

operational functioning surgical

Synonyms by meaning

Adjective

1. Operational — functional, in working order

operational, active, functional, effective, functioning, working, running, efficient, effectual, serviceable, efficacious formal

Other

surgical, operant, in action, alive, valid

Noun

1. Private investigator

private investigator, private detective, private eye, shamus slang US

2. Secret agent

secret agent, intelligence officer

3. Worker

worker, workman, mechanic, hand, laborer US, labourer UK, artisan, craftsman

Antonyms

inoperative, medical, non-surgical

All antonyms of operative →

Definitions

  1. adj. 1

    Functional, in working order.

  2. n. 1

    An employee or other worker with some particular function or skill.

  3. n. 2

    A spy, secret agent, or detective.

  4. n. 3

    A participant in an operation.

Related words

Word family
operant operate operation operational operator
Phrases
operative word

Forms

Plural
operatives → shamuses, workers, workmen, mechanics…

Example sentences

  • operational When will be the El Hamdania seaport operational?
  • functioning Esperanto is undoubtedly a functioning language.
  • surgical He was hospitalized for a surgical operation.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
operativefalling
operationalfalling
functioningsteady
surgicalrising

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters
hand1
5 letters
alive2, valid2
6 letters
active2, worker2, shamus2
7 letters
working2, running2, artisan3, workman2, laborer3, operant3
8 letters
surgical3, mechanic3, labourer
9 letters
effective3, efficient3, craftsman2, effectual
10 letters
functional3
11 letters
operational5, functioning3, serviceable4, efficacious4

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (alive2 = 2 syllables).