noun
Common
heir
EH-uh
Heir (noun) means a person legally entitled to inherit someone's property, money, or title after they die. Example: “The old farmer's only heir lives abroad and rarely visits the land.”
noun
1
A person legally entitled to inherit someone's property, money, or title after they die.
"The old farmer's only heir lives abroad and rarely visits the land."
"As the eldest son, he was the heir to the family estate."
"She's the sole heir to a shipping fortune."
2
Someone regarded as continuing or succeeding a predecessor's legacy in a non-legal sense.
"Many critics call her the heir to the great storytellers of the last century."
"The young chef sees himself as the heir to his teacher's famous cooking style."
"The young director is seen as the heir to the studio's golden age of filmmaking."
How to use heir
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone in line to inherit money, property, a title, or even a reputation.
Common mistake
The "h" is silent — it's pronounced like "air," not "hair."
Common pairings
heir to the throne
sole heir
rightful heir
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like heir.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- heirs
- Third person singular
- heirs
- Past tense
- heired
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old farmer's only _____ lives abroad and rarely visits the land.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman heir, from Latin hērēs, meaning the same thing. The silent "h" survives from this French-Latin route into English.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for heir
See all rhymes for heir →Frequently asked questions
What does “heir” mean?
The word “heir” means a person legally entitled to inherit someone's property, money, or title after they die. In plain terms, someone in line to inherit money, property, a title, or even a reputation.
How do you pronounce “heir”?
“Heir” is pronounced EH-uh (/ˈɛə̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “heir” in a sentence?
Here is “heir” used in a sentence: “As the eldest son, he was the heir to the family estate.”
What part of speech is “heir”?
“Heir” is a noun.
Where does the word “heir” come from?
The word “heir” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman heir, from Latin hērēs, meaning the same thing. The silent "h" survives from this French-Latin route into English.
Is “heir” a common word?
“Heir” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “heir” have?
“Heir” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person legally entitled to inherit someone's property, money, or title after they die.
What is the difference between an "heir" and an "heiress"?
An heir is a person legally entitled to inherit property, money, or a title, and the term can apply to anyone. "Heiress" specifically refers to a female heir, though "heir" is increasingly used on its own for people of any gender.
What is the difference between "heir" and "beneficiary"?
An heir is someone legally entitled to inherit from a person who has died, often under inheritance law. A beneficiary is anyone named to receive assets, such as through a will or insurance policy, and may or may not be a legal heir.
What is the difference between "heir apparent" and "heir presumptive"?
An "heir apparent" is first in line to inherit and normally cannot be displaced by the later birth of another person. An "heir presumptive" is currently first in line but could be displaced if, for example, a closer relative is born.
Can "heir" be used outside inheritance law?
Yes. Beyond its legal meaning, "heir" can describe someone regarded as continuing or succeeding a predecessor's legacy, as in "the heir to a musical tradition." In this sense it means a successor rather than a legal inheritor of property.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include heir:
