syrup

American  

[sur-uhp, sir-] / ˈsɜr əp, ˈsɪr- /

Or sirup

noun

• syrups
  plural

1. any of various thick, sweet liquids prepared for table use from molasses, glucose, etc., water, and often a flavoring agent.

2. any of various preparations consisting of fruit juices, water, etc., boiled with sugar.

   raspberry syrup.

3. Pharmacology. a concentrated sugar solution that contains medication or flavoring.

4. simple syrup.

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verb (used with object)

1. to bring to the form or consistency of syrup.

2. to cover, fill, or sweeten with syrup.

syrup British  

/ ˈsɪrəp /

noun

1. a solution of sugar dissolved in water and often flavoured with fruit juice: used for sweetening fruit, etc

2. any of various thick sweet liquids prepared for cooking or table use from molasses, sugars, etc

3. a liquid medicine containing a sugar solution for flavouring or preservation

4. informal cloying sentimentality

5. slang a wig

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verb

1. to bring to the consistency of syrup

2. to cover, fill, or sweeten with syrup

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• syrup-like
  adjective
• syruplike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• syrups
  plural

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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

syrup syrups

The Cortado Cloud, a 4-ounce espresso or matcha drink sweetened with vanilla syrup and finished with a thick cream top, is exclusive to Studio City.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

Peaches are particularly lovely here, though I’ve made the same syrup with blackberries to equally good effect.

From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026

It’s just syrup and nebulous amounts of whatever base.

From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026

Lavender grown on the property is even used to make homemade syrup for poolside cocktails.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026

I dunk my French toast sticks in the little tub of syrup.

From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist

Think iced fruity drinks, protein shakes and so-called dirty sodas - a concoction of foam, syrups and juices.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

Adding sugar, flavored syrups, milk and/or cream may weaken coffee's potential health benefits.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026

For a decaf alternative, Caff Off is a great option, while Trăm Phần Trăm’s salted pandan, lemongrass and toasted rice syrups make it easy to mix things up.

From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2026

Net revenue increased 12% to $12.5 billion—mostly driven by strong sales of concentrates, the syrups and flavor mixtures Coca-Cola sells to its bottling partners—ahead of the $12.2 billion Wall Street had forecast.

From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026

A century later, in 1900, when sugar was used in jams, cakes, syrups, and tea, and every modern country was filled with factories, world production of sugar reached six million tons.

From "Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science" by Marc Aronson

Related Words

• maple syrup
• molasses