# operative

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈɒpəɹətɪv/ · frequency rank #8,836

## Definitions
1. Effectual or important.
2. Functional, in working order.
3. Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects.
4. Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious.
5. Based upon, or consisting of, a surgical operation or operations.

## Etymology
From Middle English operative, operatyfe, from Middle French operatif (modern French opératif) or its etymon Latin operātīvus. By surface analysis, operate + -ive.

## Easily confused with
- **operate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/operate-vs-operative)
- **operatic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/operatic-vs-operative)
- **operation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/operation-vs-operative)
- **operating** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/operating-vs-operative)

## Common misspellings (12)
`oeprative`, `opeartive`, `operaitve`, `operatiev`, `operativve`, `operattive`, `operatvie`, `operrative`, `opertaive`, `opperative`, `opreative`, `poerative`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/operative