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Showing results for heir apparent. Search instead for soit l'appareil.
Synonyms

heir apparent

American  
[air uh-pair-uhnt, uh-par-] / ˈɛər əˈpɛər ənt, əˈpær- /

noun

plural

heirs apparent

  1. an heir whose right is indefeasible, provided they survive their ancestor.

  2. a person whose succession to a position appears certain.

    His popularity makes him the chief 's heir apparent.
heir apparent British  

noun

  1. property law a person whose right to succeed to certain property cannot be defeated, provided such person survives his ancestor Compare heir presumptive

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • heir apparency noun

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.

John Ternus, the long-rumored heir apparent, is stepping in.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

The Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, making him the heir apparent to the reigning NFL most valuable player.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 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

Abby had little to say, either to Reynolds or to the fund trustees who had voiced similar discomfort with her as Ned’s heir apparent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The new heir apparent soon had an opportunity to endear himself to the Athenians.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

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.