How to Pronounce “syrup”

American (US)

/ˈsɜːrəp/

British (UK)

/ˈsɪrəp/

noun — A thick sweet liquid made by dissolving sugar in water or boiling down sap.

Example: He poured maple syrup over the pancakes.

Where the stress falls. “syrup” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈsɜːrəp/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈsɜːrəp/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "syrup" mean?

syrup (noun): A thick sweet liquid made by dissolving sugar in water or boiling down sap. For example — He poured maple syrup over the pancakes.

How do you pronounce "syrup" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˈsɜːrəp/. British English: /ˈsɪrəp/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "syrup"?

/ˈsɜːrəp/ in American English, /ˈsɪrəp/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "syrup"?

“syrup” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈsɜːrəp/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.