heir apparent
Americannoun
plural
heirs apparent-
an heir whose right is indefeasible, provided they survive their ancestor.
-
a person whose succession to a position appears certain.
His popularity makes him the chief 's heir apparent.
noun
Other Word Forms
- heir apparency noun
Etymology
Origin of heir apparent
First recorded in 1325–75 Middle English
Compare meaning
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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.
She has accompanied her father at missile launches and other important outings, fuelling speculation she has effectively been chosen as his heir apparent.
From Barron's
He then spent two decades as the heir apparent before rising to power in 1994.
New England’s Drake Maye, 23, was also the No. 3 in his draft class two years ago, becoming the heir apparent to Brady.
From MarketWatch
The death of the 53-year-old, who was once widely seen as his father's heir apparent, was reported by the head of his political team on Tuesday, according to the Libyan News Agency.
From BBC
His raw potential soon attracted sponsors, with marquee brands such as Nike and Rolex rushing to sign up Nadal's heir apparent.
From Barron's
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.
