syrup

noun syr·up \ ˈsər-əp , ˈsir-əp , ˈsə-rəp \

variants: or less commonly sirup

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of syrup

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

play \ˈsər-ə-pē, ˈsir-ə-, ˈsə-rə-\ adjective

See syrup defined for English-language learners

See syrup defined for kids

Examples of syrup in a Sentence

ice cream and chocolate syrup
She poured syrup all over her pancakes.

Recent Examples of syrup from the Web

This grain-free granola is salty-sweet, with an addictive tahini syrup and big coconut and nut clusters.

— andy baraghani, Bon Appetit, "This Tahini Granola Is Nutty, Cluster-y, and Totally Grain-Free," 9 Apr. 2018
As opposed to iced coffee, where espresso is cooled with ice and generally mixed with other things like milk and syrup, cold brew coffee uses a whole different brewing process.

— david meyer, Fortune, "Dunkin' Donuts Is Giving Away Free Cold Brew Coffee Today. Here's How To Get Yours.," 6 Apr. 2018
Top with syrup or jelly or powdered sugar and serve immediately.

— joan elovitz kazan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Creative ways to use the Passover staple Matzo," 27 Mar. 2018
Though the menu changes often, the plate of honeycomb, Humboldt Fog cheese and apples is a staple, as is the mai tai, mixed with a macadamia nut orgeat syrup.

— martha cheng, WSJ, "3 Perfect Days on Kauai: The Quintessential Hawaiian Island," 21 Mar. 2018
Sample award-winning syrup or enjoy coffee, candy and other treats made with maple syrup.

— debbi snook, cleveland.com, "Where to find real maple syrup pancake breakfasts and trips to the sugarbush (photos)," 7 Mar. 2018
Use a toothpick to poke 10 holes in each cupcake and brush with remaining tea syrup.

— emily nabors hall, Country Living, "Lady Grey Cupcakes with Orange Zest Frosting," 25 Feb. 2016
For the syrup, mix sugar, salt, water and corn syrup in a saucepan.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Get your craft on: Make marshmallow chicks (Peeps) for your Easter treats," 26 Mar. 2018
Sometimes, the bar’s hand with herbs and spices (many drinks are topped with sage leaves or contain aromatic syrups, like cardamom) can be heavy.

— kate washington, sacbee, "Punch Bowl Social takes ‘eatertainment’ to a whole new level | The Sacramento Bee," 23 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'syrup.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of syrup

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

SYRUP Defined for English Language Learners

syrup

noun

Definition of syrup for English Language Learners

: a sweet, thick liquid made of sugar and water with flavoring or medicine added to it
: a sweet, thick liquid made from the juice of a fruit or plant

SYRUP Defined for Kids

syrup

noun syr·up \ ˈsər-əp , ˈsir- \

Definition of syrup for Students

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

chocolate syrup

cough syrup

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

maple syrup

Medical Dictionary

syrup

noun syr·up

variants: also sirup play \ˈsər-əp, ˈsir-əp\

medical Definition of syrup

: 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