syrup

noun

syr·​up ˈsər-əp How to pronounce syrup (audio) ˈsir-əp How to pronounce syrup (audio)
ˈsə-rəp
variants or less commonly sirup
Synonyms of syrupnext
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- How to pronounce syrup (audio)
ˈsə-rə-
adjective

Synonyms of syrup

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Examples of syrup in a Sentence

ice cream and chocolate syrup She poured syrup all over her pancakes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The flavor trend has grown in recent years, with more people adding frothy, creamy banana foam to their favorite coffee drinks or banana bread coffee syrup to their lattes. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026 Everything is made in-house, from the syrups down to the jam. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026 Dates and tapioca syrup do all the sweetening, which lands it at a Goldilocks level of sweet with no refined sugar. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026 On Michigan Avenue in West Dearborn, Seltz Soda Club crafts colorful dirty sodas — fizzy, nonalcoholic seltzer waters swirled with an assortment of syrups and creams. — Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for syrup

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

Phrases Containing syrup

Rhymes for syrup

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Browse Nearby Words

Syrtis Minor
syrup
syruper
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Syrup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syrup. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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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 How to pronounce syrup (audio) ˈsir-əp How to pronounce syrup (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce syrup (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on syrup

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about syrup

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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