1. Small ovoid fruit of the European olive tree; important food and source of oil
   "He added sliced olives to the salad"
    
2. Evergreen tree cultivated in the Mediterranean region since antiquity and now elsewhere; has edible shiny black fruits
   "Ancient olive trees still produce fruit in Greek groves";
   - European olive tree, Olea europaea
    
3. One-seeded fruit of the European olive tree usually pickled and used as a relish
   "He added a handful of olives to the Greek salad"
    
4. A yellow-green colour of low brightness and saturation
   "The military uniforms were a muted olive green"
    
5. Hard yellow often variegated wood of an olive tree; used in cabinetwork
   "The intricate inlay on the box was made with olive wood"

1. Of a yellow-green colour similar to that of an unripe olive
   "He chose an olive shirt to match his khaki pants"

Derived forms: olives

See also: chromatic

Type of: chromatic color [US], chromatic colour [Brit, Cdn], drupe, fruit, olive tree, relish, spectral color [US], spectral colour [Brit, Cdn], stone fruit, wood

Part of: genus Olea, Olea, olive tree

Encyclopedia: Olive, New York