Treacle
noun
A thick, sticky sweet syrup made from sugar.
She drizzled treacle over her pancakes.
Often appears as...
- treacle tart
- treacle pudding
noun
Something that is excessively sentimental.
The movie was pure treacle, with a predictable storyline and overly sweet dialogue.
Often appears as...
- pure treacle
- sentimental treacle
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
A thick, sticky sweet syrup made from sugar.
She drizzled treacle over her pancakes.
Often appears as...
- treacle tart
- treacle pudding
noun
Something that is excessively sentimental.
The movie was pure treacle, with a predictable storyline and overly sweet dialogue.
Often appears as...
- pure treacle
- sentimental treacle
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3British Origin
Treacle is particularly British; similar substances may have different names in other forms of English.
In the UK, treacle scones are a popular treat.
Pro Tip 2/3Syrup Density
Treacle is denser than water so it pours slowly, often used as a metaphor for sluggishness.
Time moved like treacle as he awaited her reply.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Sweet
While treacle is sweet, in context it can refer to something overly or sickeningly sweet.
Her treacle-like words couldn't mask the bitterness of her actions.
Pro Tip 1/3British Origin
Treacle is particularly British; similar substances may have different names in other forms of English.
In the UK, treacle scones are a popular treat.
Pro Tip 2/3Syrup Density
Treacle is denser than water so it pours slowly, often used as a metaphor for sluggishness.
Time moved like treacle as he awaited her reply.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Sweet
While treacle is sweet, in context it can refer to something overly or sickeningly sweet.
Her treacle-like words couldn't mask the bitterness of her actions.
Pro Tip 1/3British Origin
Treacle is particularly British; similar substances may have different names in other forms of English.
In the UK, treacle scones are a popular treat.
Pro Tip 2/3Syrup Density
Treacle is denser than water so it pours slowly, often used as a metaphor for sluggishness.
Time moved like treacle as he awaited her reply.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Sweet
While treacle is sweet, in context it can refer to something overly or sickeningly sweet.
Her treacle-like words couldn't mask the bitterness of her actions.
Never forget "Treacle"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
The surprising decline...
crime nearly nonexistent. What warfare there was between tribes was largely ritualistic and seldom resulted in indiscriminate or wholesale slaughter." Now you're all familiar with this treacle. We teach it to our children. We hear it on television and in storybooks.
Video examples
The surprising decline...
crime nearly nonexistent. What warfare there was between tribes was largely ritualistic and seldom resulted in indiscriminate or wholesale slaughter." Now you're all familiar with this treacle. We teach it to our children. We hear it on television and in storybooks.
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Hannah Gadsby
Australian Comedian
Shame has its place. Shame is what you do to a kid to stop them running on the road. And then you take the shame away, and immediately, they're back in the fold. You should never soak anybody in shame. It's the prolonged existence of shame that then flips out into destructive rage. We can't exist in that. It's like treacle.
Quote examples
James William Middleton
English Businessman
I have great childhood memories of my mother baking, and I was always a willing participant, especially if it meant I could revarnish the kitchen floor with treacle.
Quote examples
Tim Curry
British Actor
There's nothing more daunting than a musical, but there's also no more direct line to joy. Getting there, though, is like pushing treacle up stairs.
Quote examples
Susie Dent
English Scientist
Claggy is often seen as a negative word, yet for me it describes perfectly that full-mouthed feel of a treacle tart of banoffee pie.
Quote examples
Hannah Gadsby
Australian Comedian
Shame has its place. Shame is what you do to a kid to stop them running on the road. And then you take the shame away, and immediately, they're back in the fold. You should never soak anybody in shame. It's the prolonged existence of shame that then flips out into destructive rage. We can't exist in that. It's like treacle.
Quote examples
James William Middleton
English Businessman
I have great childhood memories of my mother baking, and I was always a willing participant, especially if it meant I could revarnish the kitchen floor with treacle.
Quote examples
Tim Curry
British Actor
There's nothing more daunting than a musical, but there's also no more direct line to joy. Getting there, though, is like pushing treacle up stairs.
Quote examples
Susie Dent
English Scientist
Claggy is often seen as a negative word, yet for me it describes perfectly that full-mouthed feel of a treacle tart of banoffee pie.
Example 1 of 4
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension