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Definition of heir

heir

/ɛər/
heir
Plural:heirs
•
Adjective:heirless
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heir Lexical Profile

heir Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person legally entitled to the property, estate, or rank of another upon that person's death.

Example

"As the sole heir to the family estate, she assumed responsibility for preserving the historic manor."

2

A person or group that inherits and continues the work, tradition, or legacy of a predecessor.

Example

"The young composer was widely hailed as the artistic heir to the great Romantic symphonists."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for heir
Antonyms
View all antonyms for heir

Word Nuance & Usage

Because 'heir' begins with a silent 'h' and a vowel sound, it takes the indefinite article 'an' ('an heir'). Do not confuse it with its exact homophone 'air'.

• Rhymes for heir

• Nearby Words

heinie
heinous
heinousness
heir
heiress
heirless
heirloom

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'eir', borrowed from Anglo-Norman and Old French 'eir', ultimately from Latin 'heres' (meaning 'an heir' or 'inheritor'). The initial 'h' was reintroduced in English spelling in the 15th century to reflect the Latin root, though the consonant remained silent.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Heir. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/heir
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