operant

C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈɑpərənt/ UK /ˈɒpərənt/ See IPA manual

adj noun

Meanings

1

adj
producing effects; relating to behavior modified by its consequences

Through operant conditioning, the rat learned to press the lever for food.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · producing effects; relating... operative active functioning effective working

Opposites

inoperative inactive ineffective

Word family

Derived forms operantly

Related forms operate operation operative operand

Etymology

From Latin 'operans' (genitive 'operantis'), present participle of 'operari' ('to work'); popularized in psychology by B. F. Skinner for behavior shaped by its consequences.

operari Latin opus Latin

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Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

# operant

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** ˈɑpərənt
**IPA (UK):** ˈɒpərənt

## Meanings
1. producing effects; relating to behavior modified by its consequences

## Examples
- Through operant conditioning, the rat learned to press the lever for food.

## Synonyms
- operative
- active
- functioning
- effective
- working

## Antonyms
- inoperative
- inactive
- ineffective

## Derived Forms
- operantly

## Related Forms
- operate
- operation
- operative
- operand

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: operari
- Root: opus

## Etymology
From Latin 'operans' (genitive 'operantis'), present participle of 'operari' ('to work'); popularized in psychology by B. F. Skinner for behavior shaped by its consequences.

## AI Etymology
Operant comes from Latin 'operans' (genitive 'operantis'), present participle of 'operari' ('to work'); popularized in psychology by B. F. Skinner for behavior shaped by its consequences. The form is best read as a historical transfer or inheritance, with its older language material carrying the main semantic load. As an adjective and noun, it carries the sense "producing effects; relating to behavior modified by its consequences", with the older formation still helping explain the modern use. Relevant historical forms include Latin operari and Latin opus. Derivative forms include operantly; related words include operate, operation, operative, operand.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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operant

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