heir presumptive

American  

noun

plural

heirs presumptive

1. a person who is expected to be the heir but whose expectations may be canceled by the birth of a nearer heir.

---

heir presumptive British  

noun

1. property law a person who expects to succeed to an estate but whose right may be defeated by the birth of one nearer in blood to the ancestor Compare heir apparent

---

Etymology

Origin of heir presumptive

First recorded in 1620–30

Compare meaning

How does heir-presumptive compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• heir apparent vs. heir presumptive

Example Sentences

Spain's Princess Leonor, the heir presumptive to Spain's throne and anticipated future commander-in-chief of its armed forces, began three years of military training on Thursday, expressing a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

From Reuters • Aug. 17, 2023

Constantine was born June 2, 1940 in Athens, to Prince Paul, younger brother to King George II and heir presumptive to the throne, and princess Federica of Hanover.

From Washington Times • Jan. 10, 2023

Buttler had long been Morgan's heir presumptive as England's white-ball captain, but when he finally succeeded him in June it raised a familiar cricket quandary.

From BBC • Oct. 2, 2022

She became the heir presumptive when the decades-younger Anne, the daughter of James II, succeeded William III the following year.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2022

Here was a disgraceful circumstance!—the heir presumptive to the throne of England, through his abominable and reckless extravagance, obliged to accept the hospitality of an acquaintance!

From Secret History of the Court of England, from the Accession of George the Third to the Death of George the Fourth, Volume II (of 2) Including, Among Other Important Matters, Full Particulars of the Mysterious Death of the Princess Charlotte by Hamilton, Lady Anne