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

In some people, high fructose corn syrup accounts for ~8-20% of daily calorie intake.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026

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

McDonald’s frequently calibrates its machines to ensure the right amount of Coke syrup concentrate in its sodas to help retain their flavor even after ice cubes melted in the drinks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026

The standout drink on my visit was the triple berry matcha, made with first-harvest organic matcha, house-made berry syrup and vanilla cream.

From Salon ● Jun. 11, 2026

There were pancakes and maple syrup for breakfast, and then Pa brought the horses and sled to the door.

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

Adding sugar, flavored syrups, milk and/or cream may weaken coffee's potential health benefits.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026

Coke has been involved in crafting McDonald’s new dirty soda beverages, using Sprite and syrups to help concoct the brightly colored drinks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026

"Some people truly do like matcha," Isabel says, "but for a lot of people it's trendy and they can hide the taste with syrups so they can still have a pretty drink."

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

It was filled with friandises, with luscious and toothsome bits—the finest of fruits, patés, a rare bottle or two, delicious syrups, and bonbons in abundance.

From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin

Related Words

• maple syrup
• molasses