Inherited: meaning, definitions and examples

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inherited

[ɪnˈherɪtɪd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

family

To receive money, property, or a title as an heir at the death of the previous holder.

Synonyms

acquire, obtain, receive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inherited	Used when talking about items or traits passed down from parents or ancestors. She inherited her grandmother's jewelry. John inherited a strong work ethic from his father.
receive	Appropriate when describing the act of being given something, generally with little effort from the receiver. She was pleased to receive a gift from her friend. I often receive letters from my family.
obtain	Used in formal contexts to describe the act of getting something, usually through effort. They managed to obtain permission to build on the land. She obtained a degree in biology.
acquire	Suitable when talking about gaining or obtaining something, often through effort, learning, or experience. Over the years, Sarah managed to acquire several useful skills. He hopes to acquire a new car next year.

Examples of usage

She inherited a large fortune from her grandfather.
He inherited the family business after his father passed away.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

genetics

To receive a genetic trait from one's parents or ancestors.

Synonyms

acquire, get, pass down.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inherited	Used when something is passed down from parents or ancestors, often referring to genetic traits, money, or property. She inherited her grandmother's old house in the country. He inherited his father’s green eyes.
acquire	Implies obtaining something through effort, purchase, or learning. Often used in a business, educational, or personal growth context. She managed to acquire a new skill during the course. The company plans to acquire more assets this year.
get	A general term for receiving or obtaining something. Informal and widely applicable in everyday conversations. Can you get me a glass of water? He got a new job last week.
pass down	Describes the act of giving something important to the next generation, such as traditions, heirlooms, or knowledge. Family recipes are often passed down from generation to generation. She hopes to pass down her love for reading to her children.

Examples of usage

She inherited her mother's blue eyes.
He inherited his father's tall stature.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

qualities

To receive qualities, characteristics, or abilities from one's ancestors or predecessors.

Synonyms

acquire, gain, receive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inherited	Used to describe receiving something, like property or money, as a result of someone's death, often from family. She inherited a house from her grandparents He inherited his father's blue eyes
acquire	Typically used when you get something through your efforts, buying, or learning, often something valuable or useful. He acquired a new language skill They acquired a new company last month
gain	Used to indicate obtaining something, usually non-material, such as knowledge, skills or weight, often as a result of effort. She gained a lot of experience working there He gained five pounds over the holidays

Word

Description / Examples

inherited

Used to describe receiving something, like property or money, as a result of someone's death, often from family.

She inherited a house from her grandparents
He inherited his father's blue eyes

acquire

Typically used when you get something through your efforts, buying, or learning, often something valuable or useful.

He acquired a new language skill
They acquired a new company last month

gain

Used to indicate obtaining something, usually non-material, such as knowledge, skills or weight, often as a result of effort.

She gained a lot of experience working there
He gained five pounds over the holidays

Examples of usage

She inherited her mother's talent for music.
He inherited his grandfather's sense of humor.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Latin 'inhereditare,' which means to take by inheritance.
It has connections to the concept of heritage, reflecting what is passed down through generations.

Law

Inheritance laws vary widely across cultures and can dictate who receives what when someone dies.
In some places, children automatically inherit their parents' belongings, while in others, a will is necessary.

Genetics

Genetic traits, like eye color or height, are often inherited from parents and can be studied through family lineage.
The study of inheritance in biology helps explain how traits are passed down, influencing evolution and diversity.

Cultural Perspectives

Many cultures have unique traditions regarding inheritance, often involving ceremonies or formal processes.
In some societies, ownership of land or property can be a significant aspect of inheritance, impacting social status and wealth.

Psychology

Inherited behaviors, like tendencies towards certain emotions or habits, can impact how individuals function within families.
Studies show that inherited traits can influence personality, suggesting a blend of nature and nurture.

Translations

Translations of the word "inherited" in other languages:

🇵🇹 herdado

🇮🇳 विरासत में मिला

🇩🇪 geerbt

🇮🇩 diwarisi

🇺🇦 успадкований

🇵🇱 odziedziczony

🇯🇵 受け継いだ

🇫🇷 hérité

🇪🇸 heredado

🇹🇷 miras kalan

🇰🇷 상속된

🇸🇦 موروث

🇨🇿 zděděný

🇸🇰 zdedený

🇨🇳 继承的

🇸🇮 podedovan

🇮🇸 erfð

🇰🇿 мұрагерлік

🇬🇪 მემკვიდრეობით მიღებული

🇦🇿 irsən alınmış

🇲🇽 heredado

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,773 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
5770 advancement
5771 confess
5772 cared
5773 inherited
5774 bargain
5775 seventeen
5776 multitude
...