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

“I thought we were avoiding corn syrup this summer,” Camille says.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

It is also hard to distinguish the effects of caffeine from those of ingredients commonly added to coffee, including milk, cream, flavored syrups and/or sugar.

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

She says some of her customers change their mind about buying a drink when they discover the cafe doesn't serve matcha with syrups or sweeteners, or complain it tastes too bitter.

From BBC ● May 8, 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

Alyce thought if she needed a midwife, she would rather someone like Will than Jane Sharp, for all her spells and syrups.

From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman

Related Words

• maple syrup
• molasses