Heir: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
heir
[ eษr ]
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?
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
Examples of usage
- The eldest son is the heir to the throne
- She is the sole heir to her father's fortune
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?
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.
|
heir apparent |
Specifies that someone is clearly the next in line to inherit a position, title, or estate without a doubt. This personโs right to the inheritance is certain unless they die before the current holder.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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:
๐ต๐น herdeiro
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคคเฅเคคเคฐเคพเคงเคฟเคเคพเคฐเฅ
๐ฉ๐ช Erbe
๐ฎ๐ฉ pewaris
๐บ๐ฆ ัะฟะฐะดะบะพัะผะตัั
๐ต๐ฑ spadkobierca
๐ฏ๐ต ็ธ็ถไบบ (ใใใใใซใ)
๐ซ๐ท hรฉritier
๐ช๐ธ heredero
๐น๐ท varis
๐ฐ๐ท ์์์ธ
๐ธ๐ฆ ูุฑูุซ
๐จ๐ฟ dฤdic
๐ธ๐ฐ dediฤ
๐จ๐ณ ็ปงๆฟไบบ (jรฌchรฉngrรฉn)
๐ธ๐ฎ dediฤ
๐ฎ๐ธ erfingi
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะผาฑัะฐะณะตั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแแแแ แ
๐ฆ๐ฟ varis
๐ฒ๐ฝ 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.