survivor
Americannoun
-
a person or thing that survives.
-
Law. the one of two or more designated persons, as joint tenants or others having a joint interest, who outlives the other or others.
-
a person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setbacks.
noun
-
a person or thing that survives
-
property law one of two or more specified persons having joint interests in property who lives longer than the other or others and thereby becomes entitled to the whole property
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of survivor
Explanation
A survivor is someone who hasn't died: the word is used often about people who have been through a horrible experience, like a plane crash. Cancer survivors and Holocaust survivors have one thing in common: they lived through horrible ordeals and are still with us. The TV show "Survivor" made this word feel a little less weighty, but it still packs a punch. Anytime something horrible happens — like a car crash or an epidemic — you'll hear about the survivors. Some survivors may feel they are just lucky, but many survivors take pride in being strong enough to survive.
Vocabulary lists containing survivor
Words from "The Avengers"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Beowulf vocabulary
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Known as RAINN, it’s the largest survivor advocacy nonprofit in the nation.
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
Your friend can claim her own retirement benefit as early as 62 and later switch to a survivor benefit at 67, based on her first marriage, provided she meets the eligibility requirements.
From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026
A survivor who had managed to escape alerted the authorities about those still trapped, according to reports.
From BBC • May 26, 2026
Shimica Gaskins, an Eaton fire survivor and a leader of Altadena for Accountability, said the report “dismissed or overlooked” residents’ experiences and failed to acknowledge evacuation alerts that came too late for too many.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
I’ve seen Grandma a million times, but never before as a Holocaust survivor.
From "Linked" by Gordon Korman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
