Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who inherits some title or office: An "heir" is someone who is legally entitled to receive a rank, position, or title from a predecessor, often upon that person's death.
   • A person who is entitled by law or by the terms of a will to inherit the estate of another: An "heir" is a person who has the legal right to receive the property, money, or possessions of someone who has died.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The king's eldest son is the heir to the throne.
  • She was named the sole heir in her grandfather's will, inheriting his entire estate.

Advanced Usage

• "Heir apparent": an heir whose right to inherit cannot be denied, provided they outlive the person from whom they inherit.
  • As the only son, he is the heir apparent to the family business.
• "Heir presumptive": an heir who may lose their right to inherit if a person with a stronger claim is born.
  • Until the queen gives birth to a son, her brother remains the heir presumptive.

Variants and Related Words

• Heiress (n): a female heir, especially one who inherits great wealth.
  • The young heiress inherited a vast fortune.
• Heirloom (n): a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations.
  • This pocket watch is a family heirloom.
• Inherit (v): to receive money, property, or a title from someone after they die.
  • She will inherit the house when her aunt passes away.

Synonyms

• Successor: a person who follows another in a position or role.
• Beneficiary: a person who receives benefits, especially from a will or insurance policy.
• Inheritor: a person who inherits; another word for heir.

Related Phrases

• "To fall heir to something": to inherit something.
  • He fell heir to a large collection of rare books.
• "Heir at law": a person who is entitled to inherit under the laws of intestacy (when there is no will).
  • With no will, the estate passed to the deceased's heirs at law.

Noun

1. a person who inherits some title or office
2. a person who is entitled by law or by the terms of a will to inherit the estate of another