Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

operational

/ˌɑ.pəˈɹeɪ.ʃə.nəl/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.21 in modern English

Syllables: op-er-a-tional
IPA: /ˌɑ.pəˈɹeɪ.ʃə.nəl/

13

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

5

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Of or relating to operations, especially military operations.

adj

Functioning and ready for use.

adj

Effective or operative.

adj

Determined by means of practical measures.

Example Sentences

"Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers.[…]Much of their pleading is public-relations bluster. Clever financial ploys are what have made billionaires of the industry’s veterans. “Operational improvement” in a portfolio company has often meant little more than promising colossal bonuses to sitting chief executives if they meet ambitious growth targets. That model is still prevalent today."
"Princess Leia, before your execution, you will join me at a ceremony that will make this battle station operational. No star system will dare oppose the Emperor now."
"Despite somewhat faded paintwork, 87017 Iron Duke is clearly very much operational, as confirmed here on September 4."

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₃ep- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *h₃épos Proto-Italic *opos Latin opus Latin opera Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos Proto-Italic *-ātos Latin -ātus Latin operātusbf. Latin operor Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin operātiōder. Old French operacionbor. Middle English operacioun English operation English -al English operational From operation + -al.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌɑ.pəˈɹeɪ.ʃə.nəl/
British English: /ˌɒp.əˈɹeɪ.ʃə.nəl/

Inflected Forms

more operational (comparative) most operational (superlative)

Derived Forms

inoperational intraoperational nonoperational operationalise operationalism operationalist operationalistic operationality operationalize operationally oplan postoperational

Phrases

non-operational operational analysis operational calculus operational definition operational encirclement operational exhaustion operational fatigue operational research

Synonyms

in operation operating functional usable useable operable

Rhymes With

educational recreational organizational inspirational occupational vocational computational sensational gravitational motivational generational relational

Questions

How do you pronounce operational?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌɑ.pəˈɹeɪ.ʃə.nəl/.
What does operational mean?: Of or relating to operations, especially military operations.
Where does operational come from?: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₃ep- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *h₃épos Proto-Italic *opos Latin opus Latin opera Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos Proto-Italic *-ātos Latin -ātus Latin operātusbf. Latin operor Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin operātiōder. Old French operacionbor. Middle English operacioun English operation English -al English operational From operation + -al.

How to pronounce operational

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “operational”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌɑ.pəˈɹeɪ.ʃə.nəl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “operational” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.