How do you use the word "olive" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "olive": An olive branch symbolizes peace. We'd like to order 18 tonnes of olive oil.

Olive Meaning

/ˈɒ.lɪv/

Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

nounA tree of species Olea europaea cultivated since ancient times in the Mediterranean for its fruit and the oil obtained from it.

nounThe small oval fruit of this tree, eaten ripe (usually black) or unripe (usually green).

Sentence Examples

An olive branch symbolizes peace.

We'd like to order 18 tonnes of olive oil.

European researchers say olive oil could help prevent cancer.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

chromatic

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

She added some sliced ____s to the pizza for a Mediterranean taste.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

She drizzled ____ oil over the salad and added a pinch of sea salt before serving.

Word Origin & History

From Middle English olyve, from Old French olive (“olive, olive tree”), from Latin olīva (“olive”), itself from either Etruscan *𐌄𐌋𐌄𐌉𐌅𐌀 (*eleiva), Pre-Classical Greek *ἐλαίϝα (*elaíwa) (compare Mycenaean Greek 𐀁𐀨𐀷 (e-ra-wa), Ancient Greek ἐλαία (elaía)), or the same source as those two. In any case, ultimately from a Mediterranean Pre-Greek source, possibly Proto-Berber *wlw (“wild olive”). More questionably, maybe from Proto-Indo-European *loiwom (compare Old Church Slavonic лои (loi, “tallow”), Old Armenian եւղ (ewł, “oil”)). Doublet of oliva and oil. Displaced native Old English eleberġe, literally "oil berry."

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"Trevor, like an Aussie outbacker, eats snacks and a pickup meal of bread, cantaloupe, olives, mangoes, and melon." — 2010, Mary Ellen Snodgrass, Peter Carey: A Literary Companion, page 100:

"Appleby[…]rose from his seat when Morales came in. He shook hands urbanely, unbuckled his sword, and laid his kepi on the table, and then sat down with an expression of concern in his olive face which Appleby fancied was assumed." — 1907 January, Harold Bindloss, chapter 22, in The Dust of Conflict, 1st Canadian edition, Toronto, Ont.: McLeod & Allen, →OCLC:

"The “little green men”—faces covered, wearing unmarked olive uniforms, speaking Russian and using Russian weapons—have played a significant role in both the occupation of Crimea and the civil war in eastern Ukraine.¹⁹⁶" — 2015, Shane R. Reeves, David Wallace, “The Combatant Status of the “Little Green Men” and Other Participants in the Ukraine Conflict”, in International Law Studies, US Naval War College, volume 91, number 361, Stockton Center for the Study of International Law, page 393:

"And hear me swear a solemn oath, / That only by thy side / Will I to Olive plight my troth, / And gain her for my bride." — 1842, Alfred Tennyson, The Talking Oak:

""Elspie, I have a thought! The baby shall be christened Olive!" "It's a strange, heathen name, Mrs. Rothesay." "Not at all. Listen how I chanced to think of it. This very morning, just before you came to waken me, I had such a queer, delicious dream. [ - - - ] Then I looked up, after awhile, and saw standing at the foot of the bed a little angel—a child-angel—with a green olive-branch in its hand. [ - - - ] "" — 1850, Dinah Craik, Olive, Chapman and Hall, page 26:

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