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

Most of it is spent preparing the hibiscus syrup, which yields a large batch that can be also be used in seltzer water or water with a splash of lemon. —Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025

Salad With Berries And Bacon Recipe: Make-Ahead Yeast Rolls Recipe: Classic Coconut Cake Recipe: Blackberry-Lime Porch Punch Maple syrup combined with brown sugar, fresh ginger, and cinnamon update the traditional baked ham. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025

The strategic reserve in Quebec stores more syrup than what the US produces in a single year, according to Wild. —Leigh Waldman, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2025

To build the cocktail, add 1 ½ tablespoons jalapeño-cherry syrup, non-alcoholic liquor, and lime juice to a shaker filled with ice; cover and shake until chilled, about 30 seconds. —Brendan Le, People.com, 10 Apr. 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

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