syrup

noun

syr·​up ˈsər-əp How to pronounce syrup (audio)
ˈsir-əp,
ˈsə-rəp How to pronounce syrup (audio)
variants or less commonly
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 How to pronounce syrup (audio)
ˈsir-ə-
ˈsə-rə-
adjective

Examples of syrup in a Sentence

ice cream and chocolate syrup She poured syrup all over her pancakes.
Recent Examples on the Web This natural herb can be prepared in several ways—including pills, lozenges, syrups, and gummies—and is featured on grocery store and pharmacy shelves as an alternative to harsher medicines. Rachel Morgan Cautero, Parents, 27 Sep. 2023 Along with the kumquats and thyme, the ingredients include honey syrup, lemon juice, non-alcoholic whiskey or black tea, orange or kumquat juice, and an egg white. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2023 This old-fashioned Louisiana specialty lets Southern cane syrup shine. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2023 But when taken as a pill or syrup, it’s broken down in the gut and never reaches your nose. Maggie Scales, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023 Make it: Stir one tablespoon of chocolate syrup into a cup of almond or soy milk, per Gomer. Women's Health, 28 Aug. 2023 If mixture is too thick, add in 1 more tablespoon milk; set aside while making syrup. Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Aug. 2023 Go beyond the syrup and butter with this delicious sweet potato waffle recipe. Laura Denby, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2023 Brioche buns are made with plantains, rendering them sweet and cloudlike, and duck is glazed in fruity cane syrup until its skin resembles amber. Elazar Sontag, Bon Appétit, 13 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'syrup.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of syrup was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near syrup

Cite this Entry

“Syrup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syrup. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

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
adjective

Medical Definition

syrup

noun
syr·​up
variants also sirup
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on syrup

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