# syrup

/ˈsɝəp/ (US) · /sˈɪɹʌp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/syrup
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. sweet liquid

noun · CEFR B1

a thick, sweet liquid made from sugar and water, often used on food like pancakes.

For teachers: a viscous liquid consisting of a concentrated solution of sugar in water, often used as a culinary topping or base.

- He poured maple syrup over his pancakes on Sunday morning.
- The chef reduced the fruit juice into a thick syrup to glaze the roasted duck before serving it to the guests.

### 2. medicine

noun · CEFR B1

a thick liquid medicine that you swallow.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. sentimentality

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. a wig

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Slang

a slang word for a wig or hairpiece.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Usually used with the definite article 'the' or a possessive pronoun.

Teaching tip: This is very specific to British English and is based on rhyming 'syrup of figs' with 'wigs'.

### 5. to add syrup

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to put syrup on something or turn something into syrup.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- I like to pour maple syrup on my waffles.
- The pharmacist explained that the cough medicine comes in a thick syrup to help coat the throat.
- Artisanal producers often boil the sap for hours to achieve the desired density and rich amber color characteristic of high-quality maple syrup.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.