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

Starbucks said it doesn’t cost more to add classic syrup or chai to the revised drinks, but flavors like vanilla or brown sugar go for a standard 80 cents extra.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

The bottled Coca-Cola is sweetened with cane sugar, not high-fructose corn syrup, and the beef in the Steakburgers comes from cattle raised on pasture grass.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026

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

Simmer the syrup: Combine the peaches, water, honey and black peppercorns in a medium saucepan.

From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026

Then she came to the door between the kitchen and the big room, and said: “The syrup is waxing. Come and help yourselves.”

From "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder

That allows people to add or subtract sweetness, chai flavoring or syrups, Starbucks said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 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

Another Antiguan producer, Novella Payne, who cooks up a range of sauces, syrups and jams under her Granma Aki label, agrees.

From BBC ● May 31, 2026

He also had many different ointments, lotions, syrups, and pastes all made out of onion juice and different parts of the onion plant.

From "Holes" by Louis Sachar

Related Words

• maple syrup
• molasses