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

After blanching the rhubarb, pack it tightly into a freezer-safe container, and cover completely with the cooled syrup. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 14 May 2026

The drinks can also including half and half, sweet cream, coconut milk, coconut water, sparkling water and clean energy powders, and there are 40 different flavors of syrups available. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026

At ThaiPop, owners Ryan and Annie Balow make all their cocktails and mocktails with palm sugar syrup, which has an amber hue and more complex sweetness than typical simple syrup. —Midwest Living, 14 May 2026

Flavor with cinnamon instead of sugar or syrup. —Sarah Bradley, Health, 13 May 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