Definition

1. Noun:

   • A small oval fruit: The fruit of the olive tree, typically green when unripe and turning black or dark purple when ripe, used for food and as a source of oil.
   • The evergreen tree: A tree (Olea europaea) native to the Mediterranean region, cultivated for its fruit and oil.
   • A yellow-green color: A dull, grayish-green color resembling that of an unripe olive.
   • The wood of the olive tree: A hard, often variegated wood used in fine woodworking and cabinetry.

2. Adjective:

   • Of an olive color: Having a yellow-green color of low brightness and saturation.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Fruit):
  • She added green olives to the salad.
  • The table was set with a bowl of black olives.
• Noun (Tree):
  • An ancient olive grows in the courtyard.
  • The hills were covered with olive groves.
• Noun (Color):
  • He painted the walls in a soothing olive.
  • The military uniforms were a shade of olive drab.
• Adjective:
  • She wore an olive green coat.
  • The room was decorated in olive tones.

Advanced Usage

• "To hold out an olive branch": To make a gesture of peace or reconciliation.
  • After the argument, he held out an olive branch by inviting her to lunch.
• "Olive skin": A complexion with a light brown or tan tone.
  • People with olive skin often tan easily in the sun.

Variants and Related Words

• Olive oil (n): A oil pressed from olives, used in cooking and cosmetics.
  • Extra virgin olive oil is best for dressings.
• Olive branch (n): A symbol of peace; a gesture of reconciliation.
  • The treaty was seen as an olive branch between the nations.
• Olive drab (n/adj): A dull olive-green color, often used for military uniforms.
  • The soldiers wore olive drab fatigues.

Synonyms

• For the color: Chartreuse, khaki green, drab.
• For the fruit/plant: Olea (scientific genus).

Related Phrases

• Wild olive: A non-cultivated variety of the olive tree.
  • A wreath of wild olive leaves was a symbol of victory in ancient Greece.

Adjective

1. of a yellow-green color similar to that of an unripe olive

Noun

1. a yellow-green color of low brightness and saturation
2. one-seeded fruit of the European olive tree usually pickled and used as a relish
3. hard yellow often variegated wood of an olive tree; used in cabinetwork
4. evergreen tree cultivated in the Mediterranean region since antiquity and now elsewhere; has edible shiny black fruits
5. small ovoid fruit of the European olive tree; important food and source of oil