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

Crushed black olives and eucalyptus produce the cleansing soap formula, applied onto the skin in a steamy chamber for the ultimate purification ritual. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Feb. 2026

Deep olive, putty, or warm charcoal can easily transform how your home is seen from the street. —Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026

Adjective

The aerial views were surreal—cliffs tumbling into aquamarine seas, olive groves stitched like patchwork across the land—Mallorca, seen from the gods’ point of view. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026

Those who truly appreciate pizza as an art form can best experience Bianco’s work at his namesake pizzeria, whether their tastes lean toward the hearty salami and olive toppings of the Sonny Boy or the simple yet outstanding tomato, mozzarella and basil combination of the margherita. —Eddie Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 9 Feb. 2026

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