the operative word
Definition
› the most important word in a phrase, which explains the truth of a situation: He was a painter - 'was' being the operative word since he died last week.Sentences and expressions
(Definition of the operative word from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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SMART Thesaurus
Synonyms and related words:
- anagram noun
- catchphrase noun
- clause noun (GRAMMAR)
- cliché noun
- cliché-ridden adjective
- concessive clause noun
- dicta
- expression noun (WORDS)
- figure of speech noun
- idiom noun
- mission statement noun
- motto noun
- nugget noun (INFORMATION)
- phrase noun (EXPRESSION)
- phrase noun (GRAMMAR)
- phrasing noun (WORDS)
- proverb noun
- relative clause noun
- sentence noun (WORD GROUP)
- war cry noun
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