an evergreen tree, Olea europaea, of Mediterranean and other warm regions, cultivated chiefly for its fruit.
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.
the ocher green or dull yellow green of the unripe olive fruit.
of, relating to, or made of olives, their foliage, or their fruit.
of the color olive.
tinged with this color.
an olive complexion.
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
1150–1200; Middle English < Old French < Latin olīva, by-form of olea < dialectal Greek *elaíwa olive, olive tree; cf. oil, oleaceous
An olive is a very small fruit, although you probably think of it as a savory snack. You might find an olive on a salad, on a pizza, or even on a toothpick in your martini. Olives are so naturally bitter that they're basically inedible unless they've been treated — cured with lye or salt, and then fermented. In addition to the olives you see in jars on grocery store shelves, olive trees yield an expensive, durable wood; and of course, olive oil. You can also describe the yellowish-green color of an unripe olive as olive. And when someone offers "an olive branch," they are trying to make peace or come to an understanding.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Outside, on the museum’s East West Bank Plaza, 10 century-old olive trees are brimming with paper wishes from the public.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
Add the tea, olive brine and citrus juice.
From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026
Peru's leftist presidential contender told AFP Friday that he wants "respectful" relations with US President Donald Trump, extending an olive branch ahead of Sunday's tight runoff election.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
One of the study's most unexpected findings involved oleic acid, the primary fatty acid found in olive oil.
From Science Daily • Jun. 2, 2026
When his health has improved even more, he goes outside to paint, capturing the garden of the asylum and, beyond that, olive trees and landscapes.
From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
