Operative and Operational

Operative

Operative adjective - Being in effective operation.
Usage example: the last operative bookbinder of its kind in the business

Operational is a synonym for operative in active topic. In some cases you can use "Operational" instead an adjective "Operative", when it comes to topics like in force, be. popular alternative

Operational

Operational adjective - Being in effective operation.
Usage example: a fully operational oil refinery

Operative is a synonym for operational in functional topic. You can use "Operative" instead an adjective "Operational", if it concerns topics such as working, be, up and running. popular alternative

Cite this Source
Operational and Operative. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/operative/operational
Operative & Operational. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/operative/operational>.
Operational or Operative. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/operative/operational.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "operative" and "operational" have occurred on timeline