Hereditary: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿงฌ
Add to dictionary

hereditary

 

[hษ™หˆrษ›dษชt(ษ™)ri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

genetic

Passed or capable of being passed from parent to offspring by means of genes; inherited.

Synonyms

ancestral, genetic, inherited.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
hereditary

Use when referring to traits, qualities, or conditions passed down from one generation to another, often related to diseases or titles.

  • The disease is hereditary, affecting multiple generations of the family
  • The king's title is hereditary, passed from father to son
inherited

Use when referring to traits, possessions, or conditions received from predecessors, often involving tangible items or qualities.

  • He inherited his grandmother's house after she passed away
  • She has inherited her father's talent for music
genetic

Use when referring to something related to genes or genetics, often in the context of biology or medicine.

  • Scientists are studying the genetic factors that contribute to the disease
  • Her eye color is a genetic trait
ancestral

Use when referring to something belonging to or inherited from one's ancestors, often related to inheritance, traditions, or lineage.

  • They visited their ancestral home in Scotland
  • She wore an ancestral necklace that had been in the family for generations

Examples of usage

  • Hereditary diseases can be passed down through generations.
  • The color of her eyes is hereditary, as it comes from her father.
  • The royal family has a hereditary title that is passed on to the next generation.
Context #2 | Adjective

traditional

Belonging to a person because of the position they were born into.

Synonyms

inborn, inherited, innate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
hereditary

Used typically to describe traits, diseases, or titles passed down through family generations.

  • Hemophilia is a hereditary condition.
  • The prince inherited the throne as part of his hereditary right.
inborn

Describes qualities or characteristics that are present from birth, usually referring to natural abilities or instincts.

  • She has an inborn talent for music.
  • The baby's inborn reflexes were tested by the doctor.
inherited

Refers to traits, possessions, or titles received from previous generations, both biologically or as a legacy.

  • He inherited his father's business.
  • Her eye color is inherited from her mother.
innate

Used to describe qualities or characteristics that are a fundamental part of a person or thing's nature which are present from birth.

  • Her kindness is innate.
  • The ability to think critically is sometimes considered an innate skill.

Examples of usage

  • The prince has hereditary rights to the throne.
  • Hereditary peerage is passed on to the eldest son.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'hereditarius', meaning 'to inherit'.
  • It has been used in English since the late 14th century to describe possessions passed from one generation to another.

Science

  • In genetics, hereditary traits are determined by genes, which are passed from parents to offspring.
  • Some diseases can be hereditary, meaning they are more likely to occur in a family due to shared genetics.

History

  • Throughout history, royal titles and lands were often hereditary, passed down through family lines.
  • The concept of heredity has influenced many societal structures, including inheritance laws and family lineage.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and books, hereditary themes often explore family secrets, like in the horror movie 'Hereditary' which revolves around a family's dark history.
  • Many popular novels showcase characters struggling with hereditary traits, such as in 'The Inheritance Cycle' by Christopher Paolini.

Psychology

  • Behavioral traits can also be hereditary, suggesting that personality aspects may be influenced by genetics.
  • Studies reveal that certain mental health conditions can be hereditary, affecting how families cope with these challenges.

Translations

Translations of the word "hereditary" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น hereditรกrio

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคตเค‚เคถเคพเคจเฅเค—เคค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช erblich

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ keturunan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะฟะฐะดะบะพะฒะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ dziedziczny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้บไผ็š„ใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท hรฉrรฉditaire

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ hereditario

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kalฤฑtsal

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์œ ์ „์ ์ธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูˆุฑุงุซูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dฤ›diฤnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ dediฤnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้—ไผ ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ dedni

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ arfgengdur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚าฑา›ั‹ะผ า›ัƒะฐะปะฐะนั‚ั‹ะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒ”แƒ›แƒ™แƒ•แƒ˜แƒ“แƒ แƒ”แƒแƒ‘แƒ˜แƒ—แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ irsi

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ hereditario

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,348 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.