syrup

noun

syr·​up ˈsər-əp 

ˈsir-əp,

ˈsə-rəp 

variants or less commonly sirup

1

a

: a thick sticky solution of sugar and water often flavored or medicated

b

: the concentrated juice of a fruit or plant

2

: cloying sweetness or sentimentality

syrupy

ˈsər-ə-pē 

ˈsir-ə-

ˈsə-rə-

adjective

Synonyms

• bathos
• gooeyness
• lovey-doveyness
• mawkishness
• mush
• mushiness
• saccharinity
• sappiness
• sentimentalism
• sentimentality
• sloppiness
• soppiness

Examples of syrup in a Sentence

ice cream and chocolate syrup

She poured syrup all over her pancakes.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Chicago, during her tenure at the bakery Brite, the pastry chef Erika Chan, 32, doubled down on the ingredient, glazing doughnuts in a slick of hojicha-milk syrup and mixing the tea into its yeasted dough. —New York Times, 16 May 2024

Each release since then varies in terms of age and proof, but the 2021 expression was a standout—a 12-year-old bourbon bottled at 104 proof with notes of cherry, caramel, and peach syrup on that palate that gave it an almost Cognac-like character. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sirup, from Anglo-French sirop, from Medieval Latin syrupus, from Arabic sharāb

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing syrup

• corn syrup
• cough syrup
• golden syrup
• maple syrup
• simple syrup

Kids Definition

syrup

noun

syr·​up

variants or sirup

ˈsər-əp,

ˈsir-əp,

ˈsə-rəp

1

: a thick solution of sugar and water often containing a flavoring or a medicine

2

: the juice of a fruit or plant with some of the water removed

syrupy

-ē

adjective

Medical Definition

syrup

noun

syr·​up

variants also sirup

ˈsər-əp  ˈsir-əp 

: a thick sticky liquid consisting of a concentrated solution of sugar and water with or without the addition of a flavoring agent or medicinal substance

syrup of codeine

syrupy adjective

or sirupy

-ē