succor

1 of 3

noun (1)

suc·​cor ˈsə-kər 

1

: relief

also : aid, help

2

: something that furnishes relief

succor

2 of 3

verb

succored; succoring ˈsə-k(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

: to go to the aid of : relieve

succorer

ˈsə-kər-ər 

noun

succorer

3 of 3

noun (2)

suc·​cor·​er

variants or British succourer

-rə(r)

plural -s

: one that succors

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 (1)

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At the same time, however, a common thread running through modern retreats and historical spas is that both provide succor for people who have ailments for which standard medicine might not have an answer yet, Köhler continues. — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 9 July 2026

And there’s more reason to give succor to the impatient among us. — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Verb

Three or four decades ago, the newspaperman was appealingly raffish—at once a bum who drank too much and a knight-errant who charged unafraid at social injustice, succored the weak, and crossed lances with the powerful and arrogant. — David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

Middle English socourer, from Middle French secoreor, sucureor, from Old French, from secorir, sucurir to help + -eor -or

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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