treacle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

They are very similar but not identical. Treacle (especially 'black treacle' in the UK) is a syrup derived from the refining of sugar, similar to molasses. However, molasses, particularly in the US, is often a by-product of sugarcane or sugar beet processing and can have a stronger, more bitter flavour than some treacles.

Yes, in its literal culinary sense in the UK, it is overwhelmingly positive (e.g., 'treacle tart'). In its metaphorical sense ('excessively sentimental'), it is almost always a criticism.

It's the adjective form, primarily used for the metaphorical sense. It describes something that is overly, sickeningly sweet or sentimental, e.g., 'a treacly love song'.

It appears humorously in works like Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' (the Dormouse talks of treacle wells) and later in the parody 'The Treacle Mines' stories, cementing its place in British cultural whimsy.

A thick, dark, sweet syrup produced during the refining of sugar.

Treacle is usually informal to neutral in register.

Treacle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtriːkl̩/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtriːkəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.