operative

[ˈɒpəɹətɪv]

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An operative is someone who carries out specific tasks or duties for an organization. They might work behind the scenes.

You'll often hear about operatives in spy movies and novels, but in real life, they can be found in various fields. In business, an operative could be a salesperson who works on deals, traveling from place to place. In law enforcement, operatives are undercover agents who gather information or complete missions without revealing their true identities. Operatives might also be employees working behind the scenes in other industries like marketing, finance, or logistics.

How common is "operative"?

Word operative is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

noun

An employee or other worker with some particular function or skill.
A spy, secret agent, or detective.
A participant in an operation.

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adjective

Effectual or important.
Example: He's usually in a good mood — the operative word there being "usually". Today was a disaster.
Functional, in working order.
Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects.
Example: an operative motive
Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious.
Example: an operative dose, rule, or penalty
Based upon, or consisting of, a surgical operation or operations.
Example: operative surgery

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Real examples of "operative" in context

Chris Pratt Tastes Jimmy's Beefmaster Tomato; Talks Veterans Writing The Terminal List: Dark Wolf

Interview

dark operatives, who truly are

9:24

to CIA operative

8:11