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
Other Word Forms
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.
That doesn’t mean Stafford was thrilled about general manager Les Snead and coach Sean McVay spending a first-round pick on his heir apparent.
From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026
Saddam Haftar, widely seen as his heir apparent, serves as deputy commander of the LNA, while another son, Khaled, is chief of staff.
From Barron's • May 26, 2026
Instead of adding a player who could be an immediate contributor to their Super Bowl aspirations, the Rams drafted Matthew Stafford heir apparent Ty Simpson.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
I had an informal meeting with him in the UK recently and I asked him then whether he really was heir apparent to the Apple throne.
From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026
Instead the Fowl heir apparent crossed to the monitor wall and followed developments from there.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
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.
