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 of syrup

• sentimentality
• sentimentalism

Examples of syrup in a Sentence

ice cream and chocolate syrup

She poured syrup all over her pancakes.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the village of Elos near Chania, chestnut celebrations in late October or early November put roasted nuts and sweets preserved in syrup on the table. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026

Raise the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the syrup thickens and the apples turn amber. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Small tweaks—swapping triple sec for agave syrup, say, or tequila for mezcal—can create a whole new drink. — Hannah Lee Leidy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026

Aldrich’s signature desserts include Opera Cake, a French patisserie cake made with layers of almond sponge cake (Jaconde) soaked in coffee syrup with layers of coffee buttercream and chocolate ganache; carrot cake; and Key Lime Pie. — Pamela Brown, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for syrup

• stirrup

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