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Dela Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary

Operative word

But of all my classmates, the one person I couldn't seem to place was Bryce. Until recently I'd have said with absolute certainty that he was greater—far greater—than the sum of his parts. What he did to my heart was sheer, inexplicable magic.

But inexplicable was the operative word here. And as I looked across the room at him during math, I couldn't help feeling crushed all over again about how he'd thrown out my eggs. What kind of person would do that?

What's the exact meaning of operative word is?
  

Top answer

Hi, The operative word The word that has the most relevance, the most importance, in what is being said. eg I may have won 10 miilllion dollars today. 'May' is the operative word.

  • Hi, The operative word The word that has the most relevance, the most importance, in what is being said.
  • eg I may have won 10 miilllion dollars today.
  • 'May' is the operative word.
  • Clive
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3 Answers
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Hi,

The operative word

The word that has the most relevance, the most importance, in what is being said.

eg I may have won 10 miilllion dollars today. 'May' is the operative word.

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Can I say key word, critical word instead?
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Hi,

Yes, that's the idea.

Clive

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