heir
gb/ˈɛɹ/ us/ˈɛɹ/
B1
English
~ 4000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Person who inherits property
A person who gets someone's money, house, or other things when that person dies.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is the heir to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'heir' with 'air' because they sound the same but have different meanings and spellings.
Synonyms
successor (Broader term that can refer to someone taking over a position or role, not just inheriting property.)
Antonyms
predecessor (Refers to someone who held a position or owned something before another person, opposite in time sequence.)
Collocations
rightful heir
|sole heir
|heir to the throne
|legal heir
Themes
law
|family
|money
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was named the sole heir in her uncle's will.
- The king's eldest son is the heir to the throne.
- After his father died, John became the legal heir to the estate.
Learner examples
- My sister is the heir to my father's house.
- He is the heir to a large farm.
- The prince is the heir to the crown.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Person continuing a legacy or role
A person who does the same job or work as someone before them and continues their ideas.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is the heir to [someone's] legacy/ideas/work
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning always refers to money or property, but it can be about ideas or positions too.
Synonyms
follower (Implies allegiance and continuation but may lack formal succession.)
Antonyms
originator (The person who starts something rather than continuing it.)
Collocations
heir to a legacy
|political heir
|spiritual heir
Themes
business
|history
|culture
|work
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She is considered the true heir to her mentor's artistic vision.
- The new CEO is seen as the heir to the founder's innovative approach.
- He was hailed as the political heir of his father.
Learner examples
- She is the heir to her teacher's work.
- He became the heir to his father's business ideas.
- The writer is the heir to an old style of poetry.
Grammar
Dictionary form
heir
IPA
GB/ˈɛɹ/
US/ˈɛɹ/
Syllables & stress
heir (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (heir)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: heir
- Plural: heirs
Word family
Forms
heirs
noun
Core family
inherit
verb B1
inheritance
noun B1
Related words
heiress
noun
inheritor
noun
heirloom
noun
Negative and opposite forms
disinherit
verb
Advanced or less common
Expressions
heir apparent
1/ˈɛɹ əpˈɛɹənt/
fixed phrase
Certain successor to a title or position
A person who will get a job, title, or power after someone else, unless something changes.
Examples
- The prince is the heir apparent to the throne.
- She was named heir apparent after years of loyal service.
heir presumptive
1/ˈɛɹ pɹizˈʌmptɪv/
fixed phrase
formal
Expected successor unless displaced
A person who will get a job or title unless someone else with a stronger claim is born or chosen.
Examples
- He was the heir presumptive until his sister had a son.
- As heir presumptive, she could lose her place in line for the crown.