hereditary
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for hereditary, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Passed down from parent to child, especially through genes.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use hereditary
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
hereditary disease
hereditary title
hereditary peer
Etymology
From Latin hērēditārius, from hērēditās ("inheritance"), from hērēs ("heir").
Full origin of hereditary →Frequently asked questions
What does “hereditary” mean?
The word “hereditary” means passed down from parent to child, especially through genes. In plain terms, inherited — either a trait passed down genetically, or a title/right passed down through a family.
How do you pronounce “hereditary”?
“Hereditary” is pronounced huh-REH-diht-ree (/həˈɹɛdɪˌtɛɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “hereditary” in a sentence?
Here is “hereditary” used in a sentence: “Certain forms of heart disease can be hereditary.”
What is another word for “hereditary”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hereditary” include inhereditary.
What is the opposite of “hereditary”?
The opposite of “hereditary” — its antonyms — is nonhereditary.
What part of speech is “hereditary”?
“Hereditary” is an adjective.
Where does the word “hereditary” come from?
The word “hereditary” comes from Latin. From Latin hērēditārius, from hērēditās ("inheritance"), from hērēs ("heir").
Is “hereditary” a common word?
“Hereditary” is an uncommon word in modern English.
