syrup

American  

[sur-uhp, sir-] / ˈsɜr əp, ˈsɪr- /

Or sirup

noun

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

• syrup-like
  adjective
• syruplike
  adjective

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

Like Neapolitan pizza, the New York bagel has certain well-defined characteristics: rolled from a cold-fermented, high-gluten, low-hydration dough flavored with malt syrup, kettle-boiled, then baked.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

Social media has raised the profile of so-called “dirty soda,” a once-niche trend that involves mixing soda with shots of flavored creams, flavored syrup or pureed fruit.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 29, 2026

The prime minister also probed Hansen on one burning issue: "A lot of Canadians just wanted one point of reassurance, that the preference is for maple syrup over nutella on your pancakes in the morning."

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

I always get the Andante, a cold brew with maple syrup, salted sweet cream foam, cacao powder and pink salt.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Buzz gave Dan a pair of tennis shoes he had in his backpack and fed him syrup with a fruit roll.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

Related Words

• maple syrup
• molasses