operative

operative — noun

1. a person whose job involves practical work, often using tools, machines, or skil

1.名詞C2
釋義

a person whose job involves practical work, often using tools, machines, or skilled hand work

例句

Two factory operatives fixed the jammed belt before lunch.

collocation: factory operative

At dawn, the road crew sent three operatives to repair signs.

同義詞
  • worker

    the broad everyday word; operative sounds more formal and job-specific

  • technician

    usually suggests more specialist technical training

  • mechanic

    is narrower and usually repairs machines or vehicles

反義詞
  • manager

    focuses on directing work rather than doing hands-on tasks

  • supervisor

    usually oversees workers instead of doing the practical work personally

文法句型

factory operative

skilled operative

operatives on a production line

用法筆記

Often used in factories, repair teams, or other practical jobs. It is more specific and more formal than the general word worker.

常見錯誤

❌The cafe hired two operatives to serve coffee.
✅The cafe hired two servers.' / 'The cafe hired two staff members.
💡operative usually suggests practical, industrial, or technical work.

2. someone sent to do hidden work for a government or group, often to gather inform

2.名詞C1
釋義

someone sent to do hidden work for a government or group, often to gather information or carry out a plan

例句

Police arrested an operative carrying false papers at the border.

security context: arrest an operative

The group placed an operative inside the shipping company.

inside + organization

同義詞
  • agent

    the broadest word and can be secret or official

  • spy

    strongly stresses stealing or passing secret information

  • undercover agent

    emphasizes a hidden identity while working

  • field agent

    stresses work done outside an office or headquarters

反義詞
  • civilian

    suggests an ordinary person with no secret role

  • spokesperson

    describes someone acting openly in public

文法句型

an operative inside + organization

foreign operative

capture an operative

用法筆記

Usually found in news, political, military, or intelligence contexts. Distinguish from noun/1, which means an ordinary worker rather than a person acting secretly.

常見錯誤

❌The embassy operative greeted reporters at the gate.
✅The embassy spokesperson greeted reporters at the gate.
💡an operative in this sense does secret work, so the word sounds wrong for a public role.

operative — adjective