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Definition of heirless

heirless

/ˈɛr.ləs/
heir · less
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heirless Lexical Profile

heirless Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having no legal heir or successor to inherit one's property, title, or throne.

Example

"When the monarch died heirless, a bitter dispute over the royal succession erupted among distant cousins."

2

Unclaimed by any legal inheritor; lacking a designated successor (of an estate, fortune, or title).

Example

"Under state law, the heirless estate eventually reverted to the public treasury."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for heirless

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse with its homophones 'hairless' (lacking hair) or 'airless' (lacking fresh air or breeze).

• Rhymes for heirless

• Nearby Words

heinousness
heir
heiress
heirless
heirloom
heirloom rose
heist

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from 'heir' (derived via Anglo-French from Latin 'heres', meaning 'inheritor') combined with the native Old English privative suffix '-less' (meaning 'without').

Cite this Entry

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