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 recent years mocktails have evolved beyond simply combining juice, soda, and grenadine thanks to bartenders and producers embracing botanicals, teas, and craft syrups to create complex beverages that put these drinks on par with their spirited counterparts. —Joseph Hernandez, Bon Appétit, 9 Jan. 2025

Apis Regina: Housemade juniper-honey syrup, grapefruit, lemon, soda water. —Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2025

Do be sure to treat yourself to a pre-dinner signature cocktail; the Roku is a real winner with gin, yuzu and homemade matcha syrup. —Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025

The exact amount of grenadine — the red bar syrup that gives the Shirley Temple its distinct coloring — is also a matter of personal taste. —Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 3 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