olive

1 of 2

noun

ol·​ive ˈä-liv 

-ləv

1

a

: a Mediterranean evergreen tree (Olea europaea of the family Oleaceae, the olive family) cultivated for its drupaceous fruit that is an important food and source of oil

also : the fruit

b

: any of various shrubs and trees resembling the olive

2

: any of several colors resembling that of the unripe fruit of the olive tree that are yellowish green

3

: an oval eminence on each ventrolateral aspect of the medulla oblongata

olive

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of the color olive or olive green

2

: approaching olive in color or complexion

Examples of olive in a Sentence

Noun

a sauce made with chopped olives

Does the suit come in olive?

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

You May Also Like Emerald, chartreuse and olive tones are poised for popularity this season following Pantone’s Color Trend Report. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 24 Oct. 2024

Get colors black, olive, and white are currently on sale for $25 off the original price. —Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Now the deluxe interior is a true reflection of not only the idyllic environs beyond its walls—olive groves, vineyards, expansive blue skies, and prolific cacti—but also of the two men responsible for its loving evolution. —Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2024

The man’s olive skin had a bluish tinge and whoever had called 911 thought fentanyl, a powerful pain reliever, was the cause. —Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin oliva, from Greek elaia

First Known Use

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing olive

• olive branch
• olive drab
• olive green
• olive oil
• olive ridley
• olive tree
• Russian olive

Kids Definition

olive

noun

ol·​ive

ˈäl-iv,

-əv

1

: a Mediterranean evergreen tree grown for its fruit

also : the edible fruit of the olive tree that is the source of an oil

2

: a yellowish green

olive adjective

Medical Definition

olive

noun

ol·​ive ˈäl-iv, -əv 

1

: an Old World evergreen tree (Olea europaea of the family Oleaceae, the olive family) cultivated for its drupaceous fruit that is an important food and source of oil

also : the fruit

2

: an oval eminence on each ventrolateral aspect of the medulla oblongata that contains the inferior olive of the same side

called also olivary body