olive

[ ol-iv ]

/ ˈɒl ɪv /

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noun

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

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

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

the foliage of this tree.

a wreath of it.

any of various related or similar trees.

olive branch.

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

adjective

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

of the color olive.

tinged with this color: an olive complexion.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of olive

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

OTHER WORDS FROM olive

sub·ol·ive, adjective

Words nearby olive

Oliphant, olivaceous, Olivares, olivary, olivary body, olive, olive-backed thrush, olive branch, olive brown, olive crown, olive drab

Other definitions for olive (2 of 2)

Olive

[ ol-iv ]

/ ˈɒl ɪv /

noun

a female given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use olive in a sentence

For this recipe, I speed up the process by quick-roasting cherry or grape tomatoes whole with dashes of salt, pepper, olive oil and vinegar.
How to make a wonderful BLT with out-of-season tomatoes|Daniela Galarza|February 25, 2021|Washington Post
This simple mash brightens the vegetable’s subtle taste with the addition of lemon zest and juice, and good extra-virgin olive oil adds both fat and flavor.
Potatoes aren’t the only vegetables you should be mashing|Aaron Hutcherson|January 20, 2021|Washington Post
This simple mash brightens the vegetable's subtle taste with the addition of lemon zest and juice, and good extra-virgin olive oil adds both fat and flavor.
Mashed celery root shines in this bright vegan side dish|Aaron Hutcherson|January 20, 2021|Washington Post
Usually, I start with a sheet pan of root vegetables tossed with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.
To Combat Cooking Burnout, Do It All at Once|Elazar Sontag|January 14, 2021|Eater

Fold the edges of the pastry around the filling and brush it lightly with the olive oil.
Wrap leftover roasted root vegetables in phyllo for a quick, crispy galette|Ann Maloney|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
Rub the loin with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
Make Carla Hall’s Roasted Pork Loin With Cranberries|Carla Hall|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
Make Carla Hall’s Roasted Pork Loin With Cranberries|Carla Hall|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Add olive oil to the pan and toss in the garlic and chili flake.
Make Carla Hall’s Roasted Pork Loin With Cranberries|Carla Hall|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The charismatic bearded revolucionario dressed in a dark olive uniform promised to restore order and hold elections.
Cuba Is A Kleptocracy, Not Communist|Romina Ruiz-Goiriena|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before “we” might offer “you” an olive branch, you must offer one to us.
Do LGBTs Owe Christians an Olive Branch? Try The Other Way Around|Jay Michaelson|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was deep twilight in the room, and rather cold, for the eucalyptus and olive logs in the fireplace still awaited the match.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
It seems that Mr. Adams would have presented the sword boldly, keeping the olive branch carefully concealed behind his back.
The Eve of the Revolution|Carl Becker
Burn the male olive-branch and the pine twig and juniper, and let the blazing laurel crackle amid the hearth.
The Religion of Ancient Rome|Cyril Bailey
He wore an olive green coat, yellow waistcoat, and light grey trousers, strapped over his boots.
Skipper Worse|Alexander Lange Kielland
He was handsome, with the olive-tinted warmth of his southern homefairly tall, straight-limbed and lithea picture of poetic grace.
The Fifth String |John Philip Sousa

British Dictionary definitions for olive

olive

/ (ˈɒlɪv) /

noun

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

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

the wood of the olive tree, used for ornamental work

any of various trees or shrubs resembling the olive

a yellow-green colour
(as adjective)an olive coat

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

adjective

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

Word Origin for olive

C13: via Old French from Latin oliva, related to Greek elaia olive tree; compare Greek elaion oil

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

olive

Origin of olive

OTHER WORDS FROM olive

Words nearby olive

Other definitions for olive (2 of 2)

Words related to olive

How to use olive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for olive

Word Origin for olive