Heir: meaning, definitions and examples

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heir

 

[ eษ™r ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

inheritance

A person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death

Synonyms

beneficiary, legatee, successor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
heir

Use 'heir' to describe someone who inherits property, titles, or money after someone dies. It is often used in legal contexts or when discussing family inheritance.

  • He was named as the sole heir to his late father's estate
successor

Utilize 'successor' when referring to someone who follows another in a position, role, or office rather than in terms of inheritance of property. Commonly used in business or organizational contexts.

  • She was appointed as the successor to the retiring CEO
beneficiary

Employ 'beneficiary' to refer to someone who receives benefits or funds from a will, trust, insurance policy, or other financial contracts. This term is broader and can include non-family members.

  • She is the primary beneficiary of her uncle's life insurance policy
legatee

The term 'legatee' is specifically used to describe a person who receives a legacy (money or personal property) through a will. It is a formal term often used in legal documents.

  • According to the will, the legatee will receive a valuable painting from the estate

Examples of usage

  • The eldest son is the heir to the throne
  • She is the sole heir to her father's fortune
Context #2 | Noun

succession

One who inherits, or has been designated to inherit, a hereditary title or office

Synonyms

heir apparent, heir presumptive, next in line.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
heir

Used generally to refer to someone who will receive money, property, or a title when someone else dies. It does not specify any particular conditions or assumptions about the succession.

  • He was named the sole heir in his grandmother's will.
  • As the heir, she inherited the family estate.
heir apparent

Specifies that someone is clearly the next in line to inherit a position, title, or estate without a doubt. This personโ€™s right to the inheritance is certain unless they die before the current holder.

  • The crown prince is the heir apparent to the throne.
  • Everyone acknowledged her as the heir apparent to the company leadership.
heir presumptive

Refers to a likely heir whose right to inherit could be challenged. This person's inheritance is based on certain conditions and can be overridden if a more qualified heir appears.

  • The dukeโ€™s niece is the heir presumptive, but this could change if the duke fathers a child.
  • He is currently the heir presumptive until any legitimate offspring are born.
next in line

Often used informally or conversationally to indicate that someone is expected to be the successor whether through inheritance or promotion. This phrase can be used beyond legal inheritance contexts.

  • She's next in line for promotion to the senior position.
  • In the case of the king's sudden death, the prince is the next in line.

Examples of usage

  • He is the heir to the family business
  • The prince is the heir to the kingdom

Translations

Translations of the word "heir" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น herdeiro

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค‰เคคเฅเคคเคฐเคพเคงเคฟเค•เคพเคฐเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Erbe

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pewaris

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะฟะฐะดะบะพั”ะผะตั†ัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ spadkobierca

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็›ธ็ถšไบบ (ใใ†ใžใใซใ‚“)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท hรฉritier

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ heredero

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท varis

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ƒ์†์ธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูˆุฑูŠุซ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dฤ›dic

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ dediฤ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ปงๆ‰ฟไบบ (jรฌchรฉngrรฉn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ dediฤ

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ erfingi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผาฑั€ะฐะณะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒ”แƒ›แƒ™แƒ•แƒ˜แƒ“แƒ แƒ”

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ varis

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ heredero

Etymology

The word 'heir' comes from the Old French 'ier', meaning 'heir, successor'. It has roots in Latin 'heres', meaning 'heir, heiress, inheritor'. The concept of inheritance and passing down property or titles through family lines has been a fundamental part of human societies for centuries.

See also: heiress, heirloom, heirlooms, heirs, heirship.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,399 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.