operative

Operative is an adjective meaning relating to an operation, especially a surgical procedure, or something that is in effect or functioning. The term derives from Latin operativus, from opus (work). In common usage it marks things that are active, practical, or engaged in performing a task.

In medical contexts, operative describes procedures performed surgically. An operative procedure is a surgery conducted to diagnose or treat a condition. Operative notes or an operative report document the rationale for the operation, the steps taken, intraoperative findings, and the outcome. The contrast is nonoperative, used for treatments that do not involve surgery, such as conservative management, medications, or physical therapy.

As a noun, an operative is a person who carries out operations, most often in intelligence or security contexts. A field operative or covert operative is an agent tasked with performing specific missions, often under cover. The term can also appear in other organizational settings to describe someone who actively implements plans or actions.

In broader usage, operative can describe systems or plans that are currently functioning or in operation—e.g., a project that is now operative. The term is typically paired with nonoperative or not yet operative to indicate the status of a procedure, policy, or mechanism.