syrup
Americannoun
-
any of various thick, sweet liquids prepared for table use from molasses, glucose, etc., water, and often a flavoring agent.
-
any of various preparations consisting of fruit juices, water, etc., boiled with sugar.
raspberry syrup.
-
Pharmacology. a concentrated sugar solution that contains medication or flavoring.
verb (used with object)
-
to bring to the form or consistency of syrup.
-
to cover, fill, or sweeten with syrup.
noun
-
a solution of sugar dissolved in water and often flavoured with fruit juice: used for sweetening fruit, etc
-
any of various thick sweet liquids prepared for cooking or table use from molasses, sugars, etc
-
a liquid medicine containing a sugar solution for flavouring or preservation
-
informal cloying sentimentality
-
slang a wig
verb
-
to bring to the consistency of syrup
-
to cover, fill, or sweeten with syrup
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of syrup
1350–1400; < Medieval Latin syrupus < Arabic sharāb a drink; replacing Middle English sirop < Middle French < Medieval Latin, as above
Explanation
Syrup is the thick, sweet liquid you pour on your blueberry pancakes. Maple syrup is just one of many deliciously sticky types of syrup. Syrup is a sweetener that dissolves in liquid more quickly and easily than sugar, so it's often used in beverages. Corn syrup sweetens many sodas, and you might pour a simple syrup (which is made by melting sugar in hot water and cooling it) into your iced tea. The Old French source is sirop, "sugary drink," from the Arabic sharab, "beverage."
Vocabulary lists containing syrup
English Food and Drink Words Derived from Arabic
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Brown
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List 10
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In 2011 a group of Quebecers pulled off what has come to be known as the Great Maple Syrup Heist, “the most valuable theft in the history of Canada.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025
They were mostly young Black and brown kids wearing some combination of Chiefin Heavily, That’s An Awful Lot of Cough Syrup and earlier runs of Drakeo merch.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2025
To make the Pandan Syrup: Bring water to a simmer, and add the pandan.
From Salon • Feb. 15, 2024
As the country gears up for the coronation of King Charles on May 6, Opie has updated his collection with new items, including labels of Cadbury chocolate and Lyle's Golden Syrup.
From Reuters • Apr. 28, 2023
Syrup dripped from his forkful of French toast and rolled toward the dimple in his right cheek.
From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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.
