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

Stir in the flaked tuna and sliced olives, which add a complementary brininess, then toss in the cooked pasta to coat in the sauce. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

When adding color look for warmer tones like camel, taupe, blush, and olive. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026

Adjective

After releasing exclusively through Sp5der in an olive colorway to start the year, the Superstar collaboration between Young Thug’s streetwear label and Adidas Originals is returning with a wider release in two styles. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 24 Feb. 2026

The Mendocino County hamlet’s hops farms are mostly gone, replaced by organic vineyards, olive groves and donkey rescues. —Audrey T. Williams, Mercury News, 23 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