hereditary
gb/hɚˈɛdətˌɛɹi/ us/hɚˈɛdətˌɛɹi/
B2
English
~ 6000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
passed from parents through genes
Describing a disease or trait that you get from your parents through your genes, not from your lifestyle or the environment.
Usage pattern:
hereditary [disease/condition/trait]; [something] is hereditary
Common mistake:
Learners often use *genetic* and *hereditary* as complete synonyms. *Genetic* is broader and can describe anything related to genes (for example, *genetic engineering*), while *hereditary* is usually used for diseases and traits passed down through generations. Learners also sometimes say *hereditic* or *heredital* instead of *hereditary*; only *hereditary* is correct in modern everyday English.
Synonyms
genetic (Very close in meaning; more general for anything related to genes, not only what is passed between family generations.)
|
inherited (Broader word; can refer to money or objects as well as traits, while 'hereditary' is mostly for traits and diseases.)
Antonyms
acquired (Describes conditions or traits that develop after birth due to environment or lifestyle rather than being passed through genes.)
|
environmental (Emphasizes causes outside the body and genes, such as lifestyle or surroundings.)
Collocations
hereditary disease
|hereditary condition
|hereditary cancer
|hereditary disorder
|hereditary factor
|hereditary trait
Themes
science
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The doctor explained that the disorder is hereditary and may affect several members of the same family.
- Researchers are looking for the hereditary factors that increase the risk of heart disease.
- Because the condition is hereditary, her children will be offered genetic testing.
- Not all cancers are hereditary; many are caused by lifestyle and environmental factors.
- Asthma can have a hereditary component but is also influenced by where you live.
Learner examples
- This disease is hereditary, so it runs in the family.
- Baldness can be hereditary in some families.
- My doctor said my high cholesterol is partly hereditary.
- Scientists study hereditary traits like eye color and blood type.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
inherited as a title or position
Describing a title, job, or power that goes from parent to child in the same family instead of being chosen by vote or appointment.
Usage pattern:
hereditary [title/monarchy/peer]; [position/title] is hereditary
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *hereditary* for any family business or habit, saying things like *a hereditary restaurant*. Use this sense only for formal positions, rights, or ranks (for example *hereditary monarchy*, *hereditary title*), not for ordinary jobs or hobbies passed in a family.
Synonyms
inherited (General word for something received from previous generations; does not itself suggest legal or formal status, while 'hereditary' often does.)
|
dynastic (Stresses rule or status kept within the same powerful family; slightly more historical or political in tone than 'hereditary'.)
Antonyms
elective (Titles or positions filled by voting, the opposite of those passed automatically within a family line.)
Collocations
hereditary monarchy
|hereditary title
|hereditary peer
|hereditary ruler
|hereditary nobility
Themes
politics
|society
|history
|law
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- In a hereditary monarchy, the throne is passed from parent to child rather than being elected.
- He holds a hereditary title that has been in his family for centuries.
- The reformers argued that hereditary privilege had no place in a modern democracy.
- Several members of the upper house were hereditary peers until the law was changed.
- The country was long ruled by a hereditary elite that controlled land and wealth.
Learner examples
- In a hereditary monarchy, the king’s child becomes the next ruler.
- He has a hereditary title because his father was a lord.
- Many people think hereditary power is unfair.
- Some countries still have hereditary rulers today.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hereditary
IPA
GB/hɚˈɛdətˌɛɹi/
US/hɚˈɛdətˌɛɹi/
Syllables & stress
hered - it - ary (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (hered)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: hereditary
Word family
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
nonhereditary
adjective
disinherit
verb
Advanced or less common
disinheritance
noun
Expressions
hereditary cancer
1/hɚˈɛdətˌɛɹi kˈænsɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
cancer risk passed in families
Cancer that is more likely to happen in a family because of gene changes that are passed from parent to child.
Examples
- Women with certain gene mutations have a higher risk of hereditary cancer.
- Hereditary cancer syndromes can often be detected through genetic testing.
hereditary condition
1/hɚˈɛdətˌɛɹi kəndˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
health condition passed through genes
A long-term health problem that is passed from parents to children through their genes.
Examples
- If you have a hereditary condition, your close relatives may also need to be tested.
- The insurance form asks if you have any hereditary conditions.
hereditary disease
1/hɚˈɛdətˌɛɹi dɪzˈiz/
fixed phrase
technical
disease passed down in families
A disease that a person gets through their genes from their parents, not from infection or lifestyle.
Examples
- The clinic specializes in treating hereditary diseases such as cystic fibrosis.
- Genetic counseling can help families understand their risk of hereditary diseases.
hereditary disorder
1/hɚˈɛdətˌɛɹi dɪsˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
disorder passed from parents by genes
A medical problem that a person is born with because it is passed to them in their genes.
Examples
- The study focuses on rare hereditary disorders in children.
- Screening at birth can help identify certain hereditary disorders early.
hereditary peer
1/hɚˈɛdətˌɛɹi pˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
formal
noble legislator with inherited seat
In the UK, a noble who has a seat in the upper house of Parliament because it passes down in the family.
Examples
- Reforms greatly reduced the number of hereditary peers in the House of Lords.
- He became a hereditary peer after the death of his father, a long-serving lord.
hereditary title
1/hɚˈɛdətˌɛɹi tˈaɪtəl/
fixed phrase
formal
noble rank passed in a family
A rank or special name, like duke or lord, that goes from parent to child in the same family.
Examples
- He inherited a hereditary title when his grandfather died.
- Many hereditary titles no longer carry political power but still have social status.
hereditary monarchy
1/hɚˈɛdətˌɛɹi mˈɑnɑɹki/
fixed phrase
formal
system where the crown is inherited
A system of government where the king or queen’s child usually becomes the next ruler.
Examples
- The country changed from a hereditary monarchy to a republic in the twentieth century.
- In a hereditary monarchy, the line of succession is carefully defined by law.
hereditary monarchy
2/hɚˈɛdətˌɛɹi mˈɑnɑɹki/
fixed phrase
monarchy inherited within a family
A monarchy where the job of king or queen is usually given to a child or close family member of the last monarch.
Examples
- Most European royal families are part of a hereditary monarchy system.
- In a hereditary monarchy, the oldest child is often first in line to become the next ruler.