inherit

[ in-her-it ]

/ ɪnˈhɛr ɪt /

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See synonyms for: inherit / inherited / inheriting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to take or receive (property, a right, a title, etc.) by succession or will, as an heir: to inherit the family business.

to receive as if by succession from predecessors: the problems the new government inherited from the previous administration.

to receive (a genetic character or trait) by the transmission of hereditary factors.

to succeed (a person) as heir.

to receive as one's portion; come into possession of: to inherit his brother's old clothes.

verb (used without object)

to take or receive property or the like by virtue of being heir to it.

to receive qualities, powers, duties, etc., as by inheritance (followed by from).

to have succession as heir.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of inherit

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English en(h)erit(i)en, from Middle French enheriter, from Late Latin inhērēditāre “to make heir”; see in-³, hereditary

OTHER WORDS FROM inherit

pre·in·her·it, verb (used with object)re·in·her·it, verb

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

How to use inherit in a sentence

It was clear he inherited her drive, integrity, and honesty.
Karl Racine for U.S. attorney general|Peter Rosenstein|November 13, 2020|Washington Blade
Through extensive interviews with Malcolm’s older brothers Wilfred and Philbert, however, Payne helps us see how much Malcolm inherited from his mother before her decline.
When Malcolm X secretly met with the Klan|Mark Whitaker|November 6, 2020|Washington Post
Social media companies have inherited a similar position in society, but they have not taken on those same responsibilities.
Why social media can’t keep moderating content in the shadows|Bobbie Johnson|November 6, 2020|MIT Technology Review
His father designed and sold furniture and inherited the radical beliefs of his own father, a Jewish immigrant from Eastern Europe.
Daniel Menaker, author and celebrated editor at the New Yorker and Random House, dies at 79|Harrison Smith|October 29, 2020|Washington Post

Mitochondrial DNA, typically inherited from the mother, provides a narrower view of a population’s evolutionary past than nuclear DNA, which is inherited from both parents.
The first Denisovan DNA outside Siberia unveils a long stint on the roof of the world|Bruce Bower|October 29, 2020|Science News
But our democratic prejudice against origins and breeding makes us deeply skeptical even of inheriting life goals.
Liam Neeson Loves Horses and Nietzsche|James Poulos|April 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Speaking from his home in Tryon, N.C., Reid, 63, discussed the challenges that came with inheriting such a huge project.
The Final Roar: Paul Reid on Finishing William Manchester’s Life of Churchill|Kevin Canfield|November 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Who wants to think about their kids inheriting such a perilous future?
Parents Need to Act Against Climate Change for Their Kids’ Sake|Mark Hertsgaard|July 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He also is inheriting a shrinking staff hurt by layoffs and furloughs.
USA Today Takes Digital Gamble in Hiring David Callaway as New Editor|Howard Kurtz|July 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And in much of the world laws that bar women from owning land or inheriting property keep women from accessing financial services.
Hillary: Global Economy Depends on Women|Gayle Tzemach Lemmon|September 16, 2011|DAILY BEAST
I suppose we are all inheriting the curse that has been laid upon our mothers through so many ages.
The Daughters of Danaus|Mona Caird
Become suspected, he was deprived of his priesthood, and of his wifes dowry, and declared incapable of inheriting from his family.
History of Julius Caesar Vol. 1 of 2|Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, 1808-1873.
That, however, would not prevent his inheriting both the title and estates were I to die without male issue.
The Riddle of the Mysterious Light|Mary E. Hanshew
Inheriting the disposition of their kind, the cubs also were more particularly lively by night than by day.
Creatures of the Night|Alfred W. Rees
He likes to see boys and girls growing up around him, bearing his name and inheriting his qualities.
A New Atmosphere|Gail Hamilton

British Dictionary definitions for inherit

inherit

/ (ɪnˈhɛrɪt) /

verb -its, -iting or -ited

to receive (property, a right, title, etc) by succession or under a will

(intr) to succeed as heir

(tr) to possess (a characteristic) through genetic transmission

(tr) to receive (a position, attitude, property, etc) from a predecessor

Derived forms of inherit

inherited, adjectiveinheritor, nouninheritress or inheritrix, fem n

Word Origin for inherit

C14: from Old French enheriter, from Late Latin inhērēditāre to appoint an heir, from Latin hērēs heir

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

inherit

Origin of inherit

OTHER WORDS FROM inherit

Words related to inherit

How to use inherit in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inherit

Derived forms of inherit

Word Origin for inherit