syrup

Or sir·up

[sur-uhp, sir-]

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.

verb (used with object)

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

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

syrup

/ 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

verb

1. to bring to the consistency of syrup

2. to cover, fill, or sweeten with syrup

Other Word Forms

• syruplike adjective
• syrup-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of syrup¹

1350–1400; < Medieval Latin syrupus < Arabic sharāb a drink; replacing Middle English sirop < Middle French < Medieval Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of syrup¹

C15: from Medieval Latin syrupus, from Arabic sharāb a drink, from shariba to drink: sense 4 from rhyming slang syrup of fig

Example Sentences

A pinch of sea salt in a sweet bowl doesn’t just make it taste “better”—it deepens everything, sharpens the butter, brightens the fruit, makes the brown sugar taste like caramel instead of syrup.

Read more on Salon

It has rolled out a range of coffee drinks, refreshers, and “dirty sodas” with add-ins like dried fruit and flavored syrups.

Read more on Barron's

The investment is meant in part to help the company respond to a surge in the number of medications that require more complicated logistics handling than traditional pills, cough syrups and topical ointments.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It’s rolled out a range of coffee drinks, refreshers, and “dirty sodas” with add-ins like dried fruit and flavored syrups.

Read more on Barron's

Options range from iced coffee with protein powder to the Annihilator, with chocolate macadamia-nut syrup and half-and-half.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• maple syrup 
• molasses