heir

[ air ]

/ ɛər /

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See synonyms for: heir / heirs on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who inherits or has a right of inheritance in the property of another following the latter's death.

Law.

(in common law) a person who inherits all the property of a deceased person, as by descent, relationship, will, or legal process.
Civil Law. a person who legally succeeds to the place of a deceased person and assumes the rights and obligations of the deceased, as the liabilities for debts or the possessory rights to property.

a person who inherits or is entitled to inherit the rank, title, position, etc., of another.

a person or group considered as inheriting the tradition, talent, etc., of a predecessor.

verb (used with object)

Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. to inherit; succeed to.

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Origin of heir

1225–75; Middle English eir, heir<Old French <Latin hērēd- (stem of hērēs); akin to Greek chêros bereaved

OTHER WORDS FROM heir

heirless, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH heir

air, e'er, ere, err, heir

Words nearby heir

Heinkel, Heinlein, heinous, Heinrich, Heinz, heir, heir apparent, heir at law, heirdom, heiress, heirloom

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use heir in a sentence

Andy Jassy is the likely heir apparent to Jeff BezosBezos, who turned 57 last month, set up the transition to Jassy last summer, when the company announced that one of his possible successors, Jeff Wilke, would soon retire.
Jeff Bezos stepping down as Amazon CEO, transitioning to executive chair role|Jay Greene, Tony Romm|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
The most logical heir, Jeff Wilke, beat Bezos to the door, announcing his retirement last year.
Jeff Bezos drops CEO role with Amazon under attack|Aaron Pressman|February 3, 2021|Fortune
Bubbles also change rapidly— heir walls approach the speed of light as they fly outward—and feature quantum mechanical randomness and waviness.
How Universes Might Bubble Up and Collide - Facts So Romantic|Charlie Wood|January 28, 2021|Nautilus
Junior guard Eric Ayala entered the season as the heir apparent to Cowan because he already had experience at that spot from when Coach Mark Turgeon wanted Cowan to play off the ball.
For Maryland basketball, point guard has become a two-man job|Emily Giambalvo|January 26, 2021|Washington Post

Prince Charles, heir apparent to the British crown, has asked the world’s CEOs to guarantee the rights of nature in capitalism.
The British monarchy’s latest “treaty” asks CEOs to recognize the rights of nature|Michael J. Coren|January 13, 2021|Quartz
By allowing him to live, Marshal avoided the shame of killing an unarmed heir-apparent.
England’s Greatest Knight Puts ‘Game of Thrones’ to Shame|William O’Connor|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The heir to a tightrope walking family has tried some crazy stunts in his day.
Nik Wallenda’s Blindfolded Tightrope Caper: Defying Death Over The Chicago River|Jacqui Goddard|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Phew, he could have sex too, so an heir for Downton was assured.
Dan Stevens Blows Up ‘Downton’: From Chubby-Cheeked Aristo to Lean, Mean American Psycho|Tim Teeman|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Regardless, his turn as wealthy heir/sociopath John du Pont is never less than utterly transfixing and unsettling.
Oscar Season Kicks Off in Toronto: Channing Tatum, Kristen Stewart, and More Court Awards Glory|Marlow Stern|September 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Well, he could always ask Prince Andrew how things work out for the spare heir who loses his way.
The Perils of a Playboy Prince|Tom Sykes|August 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The heir apparent and his brothers were cowering in fear, afraid to strike, yet hoping that others would strike for them.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
He is a hypochondriac now and would keep a close watch on his heir's health and habits; you may be sure of that.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
In some states he becomes the heir of the adopted parent like a natural child, with some limitations.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
The heir apparent, a boy of nine years old, is affianced to the daughter of a neighbouring king.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
Two minutes suffice for changing teams at the “Talbot,” and off that heir of the coaching age goes again.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries|Charles G. Harper

British Dictionary definitions for heir

heir

/ (ɛə) /

noun

civil law the person legally succeeding to all property of a deceased person, irrespective of whether such person died testate or intestate, and upon whom devolves as well as the rights the duties and liabilities attached to the estate

any person or thing that carries on some tradition, circumstance, etc, from a forerunner

an archaic word for offspring

Derived forms of heir

heirless, adjective

Word Origin for heir

C13: from Old French, from Latin hērēs; related to Greek khēros bereaved

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

heir

Origin of heir

OTHER WORDS FROM heir

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH heir

Words nearby heir

Words related to heir

How to use heir in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for heir

Derived forms of heir

Word Origin for heir