heir apparent
Americannoun
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an heir whose right is indefeasible, provided they survive their ancestor.
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a person whose succession to a position appears certain.
His popularity makes him the chief 's heir apparent.
noun
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Nouns
Etymology
Origin of heir apparent
First recorded in 1325–75 Middle English
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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.
Rams rookie Ty Simpson says is doing all he can to speed up his development as Matthew Stafford’s heir apparent at starting quarterback.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Then, the hosts discuss succession at JPMorgan now that CEO Jamie Dimon’s latest heir apparent, Marianne Lake, has left the company.
From Slate ● Jun. 27, 2026
Vinicius Junior is the one they look to now, the heir apparent, the winger most likely to propel them forward.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026
Haftar, 82, and his sons -- including Saddam, his heir apparent -- will attend the display of firepower on May 19, along with foreign and Libyan officials.
From Barron's ● May 17, 2026
Robby Edmondson’s tenth-grade sister and heir apparent, Lindsay, puts microphones on the cast and does sound checks.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
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.
