operational

/ˌɒpəˈreɪʃənl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɑːpəˈreɪʃənl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌä-pə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nəl/ (ame, mw)

operational — adjective

  • operationalpositive
  • more operationalcomparative
  • most operationalsuperlative

1. dealing with the practical systems, steps, and decisions needed to run an activi

1.形容詞C1
釋義

dealing with the practical systems, steps, and decisions needed to run an activity, business, or machine

例句

The report focuses on operational problems in the city bus system.

operational + problems in a system

We need an operational plan before the new clinic opens.

operational + plan

同義詞
  • practical

    is broader and can describe useful real-world action, not specifically systems or running work

  • administrative

    often focuses on office management and paperwork rather than full working processes

  • logistical

    is narrower and mainly concerns movement, supply, and organization

反義詞
  • strategic

    focuses on overall direction and long-term aims rather than day-to-day running

文法句型

operational plan

operational problems

operational decisions

用法筆記

Common before nouns such as plan, problem, cost, decision, and procedure. Distinguish from adjective/2, which describes something as already working and ready to use.

常見錯誤

❌The website is operational problems.
✅The website has operational problems.
💡In this sense, operational describes a noun such as problems or plan; it does not complete the sentence by itself.

2. working properly and ready for people to use

2.形容詞B2
釋義

working properly and ready for people to use

例句

The website will be fully operational by Monday morning.

collocation: fully operational

After two hours of repairs, the lift was operational again.

同義詞
  • working

    is the everyday choice and is less formal

  • functional

    stresses that the parts work as they should

  • ready

    focuses on availability, even before actual use starts

反義詞
  • broken

    suggests damage or failure

  • out of service

    is common for transport, lifts, and public equipment

  • inactive

    can mean not currently functioning or not currently in use

文法句型

be operational

become operational

remain operational

用法筆記

Usually follows be, become, or remain. Unlike adjective/1, this sense describes the present condition of a system, machine, service, or building.

常見錯誤

❌The airport became operationally yesterday.
✅The airport became operational yesterday.
💡Use the adjective operational after become; operationally is an adverb.

3. used in carrying out military action, especially in real service rather than tra

3.形容詞C1
釋義

used in carrying out military action, especially in real service rather than training

例句

The base sent operational units to the border at dawn.

operational + units

Captain Liu moved from training work into an operational command role.

operational + command

同義詞
  • combat

    is closer to direct fighting, while operational can include wider support and planning work

  • field

    can suggest active service outside headquarters, but it is less formal and less exact

  • tactical

    is narrower and often concerns immediate battlefield decisions

反義詞
  • training

    describes practice or preparation rather than real missions

  • civilian

    marks non-military people or activities

文法句型

operational unit

operational command

operational support

用法筆記

Mostly used before nouns such as unit, command, support, and plan. It stays within military contexts, unlike adjective/1, which is used for business or technical work.