Synonyms for

Heir

Verb / er / Another word for heir — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a person who is legally entitled to the property or rank of another person after their death

Synonyms & similar words

successor inheritor heritor successor inheritor beneficiary legatee recipient assignee devisee grantee heir-apparent next-in-line scion descendant offspring progeny issue heir-at-law next-of-kin kin relation cognate

Synonyms by register

Formal

beneficiary successor inheritor

Informal

next in line kid heir apparent

Literary

scion progeny issue

Antonyms

predecessor ancestor predecessor forebear originator founder

Common collocations

  • heir to the throne
  • heir apparent
  • rightful heir
  • sole heir
  • heir to the estate
  • heir by law
  • heir presumptive

Word family

noun heir
verb inherit
adjective hereditary

Usage note

The term 'heir' specifically refers to someone legally entitled to inherit property or a title. 'Heir apparent' is someone whose right to inherit is absolute, while 'heir presumptive' is someone who would inherit if the current holder died without a more likely successor.

Example sentences

  1. The wealthy businessman's son was his only heir.
  2. The queen named her eldest son as her heir.
  3. The lawyer read the will to the heirs of the deceased.
  4. The prince was the rightful heir to the throne.
  5. The family argued over who the heir to the estate would be.

Quotes

  • An heir is a legal term for someone who has inherited property or money, or who is entitled to receive it when someone dies.
  • The happiest part of a man's life is what he passes lying awake in bed in the morning.
  • When I was born I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half.

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