Olive

¹ American  

[ol-iv] / ˈɒl ɪv /

noun

1. a female given name.

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olive ² American  

[ol-iv] / ˈɒl ɪv /

noun

1. an evergreen tree, Olea europaea, of Mediterranean and other warm regions, cultivated chiefly for its fruit.

2. the fruit of this tree, a small oval drupe, eaten as a relish and used as a source of oil.

3. Also called olive wood.  the wood of this tree, valued for ornamental work.

4. the foliage of this tree.

5. a wreath of it.

6. any of various related or similar trees.

7. olive branch.

8. the ocher green or dull yellow green of the unripe olive fruit.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or made of olives, their foliage, or their fruit.

2. of the color olive.

3. tinged with this color.

   an olive complexion.

olive British  

/ ˈɒlɪv /

noun

1. an evergreen oleaceous tree, Olea europaea, of the Mediterranean region but cultivated elsewhere, having white fragrant flowers, and edible shiny black fruits

2. the fruit of this plant, eaten as a relish and used as a source of olive oil

3. the wood of the olive tree, used for ornamental work

4. any of various trees or shrubs resembling the olive

5. 1. a yellow-green colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      an olive coat

6. an angler's name for the dun of various mayflies or an artificial fly in imitation of this

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or made of the olive tree, its wood, or its fruit

Other Word Forms

• subolive adjective

Etymology

Origin of olive

1150–1200; Middle English < Old French < Latin olīva, by-form of olea < dialectal Greek *elaíwa olive, olive tree; oil, oleaceous

Example Sentences

Hunks of focaccia, still warm from the oven, paired with a small jar of olive tapenade.

From Salon

You learn where splurging matters to you — good olive oil and great bread, perhaps — and where frugality feels easy rather than punitive.

From Salon

But as he finished answering my question, was this an olive branch to Europe from Russia's president?

From BBC

Each ingredient, from blistered tomatoes to the brined treasures of the olive bar, is layered with intention, coaxing depth from pantry staples while keeping the cooking simple and approachable.

From Salon

So fill your pantry with fish sauce caramel corn, vegan chorizo Chex mix, cult-favorite bar nuts and a top-notch burnt olive ranch dip—and your shot glasses with perfect pairings for each.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• beige
• brownish
• drab
• khaki