spy vs operative

operative vs spy

spy and operative both are nouns.

spy is not an adjective while operative is an adjective.

spy is a verb but operative is not a verb.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
spy	Yes	No	Yes	No
operative	Yes	Yes	No	No

As nouns, operative is a hypernym of spy; that is, operative is a word with a broader meaning than spy:

spy: (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors
operative: a person secretly employed in espionage for a government

Other hypernyms of spy include intelligence agent, intelligence officer, secret agent.

spy (noun)	operative (noun)
(military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors	someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information and assist in criminal investigations
a secret watcher; someone who secretly watches other people	a person secretly employed in espionage for a government

spy (adjective)	operative (adjective)
	being in force or having or exerting force
	relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine
	(of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing
	effective; producing a desired effect

spy (verb)	operative (verb)
secretly collect sensitive or classified information; engage in espionage
watch, observe, or inquire secretly
catch sight of
catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes

Difference between spy and operative

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