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

The Dead Rabbit’s Irish Coffee Martini features Bushmills Original, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, Angostura cacao bitters, a touch of demerara-molasses syrup, and espresso made from a custom blend by Irish roaster Calendar Coffee. —Christina Liao, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2025

The smell of smoke briefly overwhelmed the scent of Carlene Sutherland’s cherry pie and Sharon Tanner’s vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2025

Sprinkle on top of pancakes instead of syrup Incorporate into grain dishes like rice pilaf or a quinoa salad. —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025

For instance, some people like to make a batch of ginger syrup at home. —Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025

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