succor

1 of 2

noun

suc·​cor ˈsə-kər 

1

: relief

also : aid, help

2

: something that furnishes relief

succor

2 of 2

verb

succored; succoring ˈsə-k(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

: to go to the aid of : relieve

succorer

ˈsə-kər-ər 

noun

Did you know?

If you're a sucker for etymology, buckle in as we aid in your understanding of succor. This word comes from the Anglo-French noun sucor (or sucors), which essentially had the same meaning as our modern word. Sucor, in turn, comes from the Latin verb succurrere, meaning "to run to the rescue" or "to bring aid." Succurrere is itself a composite of the prefix sub- (meaning "from below") and the verb currere (meaning "to run"). English also has currere to thank for such words as current, currency, courier, and even car.

Examples of succor in a Sentence

Noun

We see it as our duty to give succor to those in need.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sources of succor and disquiet—currents which Winter has ridden in life and art—each female elder is a maternal presence who offers complementary textures to the tapestry Winter has woven from threads of experience and sheer imagination. —Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025

His birth overshadowed by his family’s greatest tragedy, Daniel found succor in movies and willed himself into the dreamworld of Hollywood. —David Kamp, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025

Verb

His birth overshadowed by his family’s greatest tragedy, Daniel found succor in movies and willed himself into the dreamworld of Hollywood. —David Kamp, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025

That legacy echoes in our every cell, yoking our fates to the vast unicellular realm, where creatures such as protozoans navigate threats, seek succor and sense their way from life to death. —Claire L. Evans, Quanta Magazine, 30 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English socour, sucurs (taken as plural), from Anglo-French sucur, sucors, from Medieval Latin succursus, from Latin succurrere to run to the rescue, bring aid, from sub- + currere to run — more at car

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for succor

• pecker
• pucker
• sucker
• trucker
• tucker

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Kids Definition

succor

1 of 2 noun

suc·​cor ˈsək-ər 

: relief sense 1a

succor

2 of 2 verb

succored; succoring ˈsək-(ə-)riŋ 

: to go to the aid of (one in need or distress) : relieve

succorer

ˈsək-ər-ər 

noun