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

The landscape architect Garrett Eckbo planted Lombardy poplar, olive, dwarf eucalyptus, and Mexican fan palm. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025

The brand said the mask deeply hydrates skin, and plumps and restores the skin barrier while encouraging a healthy glow, with the help of additional actives including jasmine and mangosteen, plus a plant complex made of myrtle and olive. —Devorah Lauter, WWD, 31 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Add green accents Use olive or brighter green shades on your lid, lower lash line, or crease to resemble the olive garnish in a martini. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 20 Dec. 2024

As the sun sets, golden light spills over olive groves, transforming the landscape into a living painting—a nod to the siblings’ Puglian roots. —Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

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