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

During the nature walk, we ambled down a tangle of dirt trails as Fadel pointed out wild rose bushes, Aspen trees and elderberry, giving a recipe for syrup.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

As for toppings, I like to add more bananas, preferably barely ripe or ripe, along with cut-up strawberries, slivered almonds and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

From Salon ● Jun. 20, 2026

They delivered Coke syrup in 75 gallon stainless steel barrels on trucks, pumped directly into McDonald’s restaurants through hoses to guarantee freshness.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026

In exchange, the EU will give access to Mexico to the bloc's market for products like coffee, fruits, chocolates and agave syrup.

From Barron's ● May 22, 2026

The beardless jeweler and the fidgety spicer had both purchased Samir’s no-fail, high-potency, does-what-you-want-it-to, syrup-flavored sleep syrup.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

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

Sales of concentrates—the syrups and flavor mixes sold to bottling partners—were particularly strong, rising 8%.

From Barron's ● Apr. 28, 2026

As a crop largely grown in the Midwest, it’s comparatively insulated from global price swings that affect candy, packaged goods and soda syrups.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2026

Mixue owns the factories in China that produce its powders, syrups and fruit purees, giving the company greater control over pricing, Tang said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 24, 2026

And off the midwife ran, up to the manor where warm fires blazed and the laboring mother was soothed with wine and syrups and kind words.

From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman

Related Words

• maple syrup
• molasses