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  • Word comparison: heir apparent vs. heir presumptive

heir apparent vs. heir presumptive

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.

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.