syrup

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Medicine

n. a thick liquid medicine that you swallow.

n. a pharmaceutical vehicle consisting of a saturated solution of sugar in which medicinal substances are dissolved.

“The doctor prescribed a cough syrup to help him sleep better.”

“The paediatrician recommended a fruit-flavoured syrup to make the bitter antibiotic more palatable for the young child.”

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Literary

n. something that is too sweet, emotional, or romantic in a way that feels fake.

n. excessive or cloying sentimentality in art, speech, or behaviour.

“The movie was full of romantic syrup and had a very predictable ending.”

“The critic dismissed the novel as pure syrup, arguing that its emotional beats were engineered rather than earned.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun British English · Slang

n. a slang word for a wig or hairpiece.

n. a hairpiece or wig; derived from Cockney rhyming slang 'syrup of figs'.

“It was obvious to everyone in the room that the man was wearing a syrup.”

“The comedian made a subtle joke about the politician's poorly fitted syrup during the late-night broadcast.”

C1 · Advanced Cooking Technical

v. to put syrup on something or turn something into syrup.

v. to coat with or convert into a viscous, sugary substance.

“The recipe says to syrup the peaches before putting them in the jar.”

“The industrial process involves heating the fruit extract until it begins to syrup, ensuring a long shelf life for the preserve.”