inheritance
ihn-HEH-rih-tuhns
Inheritance (noun) means Money, property, or possessions passed to someone after a person's death. Example: “Her grandmother's inheritance helped her buy a small flat near the park.”
noun
1
Money, property, or possessions passed to someone after a person's death.
"Her grandmother's inheritance helped her buy a small flat near the park."
"The brothers argued over their inheritance after the funeral."
"He used his inheritance to pay off the mortgage."
2
A trait passed down biologically from parent to offspring.
"Eye colour is a simple example of inheritance from our parents."
"Scientists study the inheritance of height across several generations of one family."
"The disease follows a pattern of genetic inheritance."
How to use inheritance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhat gets passed down to you — most often money or property, but also genes or traits.
Common pairings
receive an inheritance
genetic inheritance
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Word forms
- Plural
- inheritances
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Her grandmother's _____ helped her buy a small flat near the park.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman enheritaunce, related to "inherit."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for inheritance
See all rhymes for inheritance →Frequently asked questions
What does “inheritance” mean?
The word “inheritance” means money, property, or possessions passed to someone after a person's death. In plain terms, what gets passed down to you — most often money or property, but also genes or traits.
How do you pronounce “inheritance”?
“Inheritance” is pronounced ihn-HEH-rih-tuhns (/ɪnˈhɛɹɪtəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “inheritance” in a sentence?
Here is “inheritance” used in a sentence: “He used his inheritance to pay off the mortgage.”
What part of speech is “inheritance”?
“Inheritance” is a noun.
Where does the word “inheritance” come from?
The word “inheritance” comes from Anglo-Norman. From Anglo-Norman enheritaunce, related to "inherit.".
Is “inheritance” a common word?
“Inheritance” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “inheritance” have?
“Inheritance” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: money, property, or possessions passed to someone after a person's death.
What is the difference between inheritance and legacy?
Inheritance refers to money, property, or possessions passed to someone after a person's death, while legacy is a broader term that can include an inheritance but also covers the lasting impact or reputation someone leaves behind. All inheritances can be part of a legacy, but not all legacies involve money or property.
What is genetic inheritance?
Genetic inheritance refers to a trait passed down biologically from parent to offspring, such as eye color or height, distinct from the legal sense of inheriting money or property.
Is inheritance always subject to tax?
Whether an inheritance is taxed depends on the jurisdiction and its specific inheritance or estate tax laws, so the money, property, or possessions passed after a death are not automatically tax-free everywhere.
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