How to pronounce operative
Say it like AH-puh-ruh-tiv. Operative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce operative. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AH
- puh
- ruh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Operative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of operative
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: OP-uh-ruh-tiv.
What does operative mean?
- being in force or having or exerting force“operative regulations”“the major tendencies operative in the American political system”
- relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine“a surgical appendix”“a surgical procedure”
- effective; producing a desired effect“the operative word”
- a person secretly employed in espionage for a government
- someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information
Where does operative come from?
From Middle English operative, operatyfe, from Middle French operatif (modern French opératif) or its etymon Latin operātīvus.
Questions about saying operative
How do you pronounce operative?
Say AH-puh-ruh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑpərətɪv/. In British English it is /ˈɒpərətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in operative?
Operative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AH). Broken into parts: AH · puh · ruh · tiv.
Is operative pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈɒpərətɪv/ (OP-uh-ruh-tiv).