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heir

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /er/ · UK /eə/

Forms: heirs

heir means: A person who receives, or will receive, someone’s money or property when that person dies.

noun

INHERIT PROPERTYB2

A person who receives, or will receive, someone’s money or property when that person dies.

  • His daughter is his only heir.
  • The heirs divided the property between them.
  • Who is the heir to her fortune?

How to use it: heir to something (She is heir to a large estate.)

Similar words: inheritor

Common phrases: sole heir, heir to something, legal heir

INHERIT TITLEB2

A person who will receive a royal or family title or position from a relative.

  • The king has no heir.
  • She became heir to the throne at twelve.
  • The duke’s heirs held the title for centuries.

How to use it: heir to a title/position (The prince is heir to the throne.)

Similar words: successor

Common phrases: heir to something, royal heir

Questions about heir

What does heir mean?

A person who receives, or will receive, someone’s money or property when that person dies.

What is heir in other languages?

Türkçe: mirasçı · Español: heredero · Français: héritier · Deutsch: Erbe · Italiano: erede · 日本語: 相続人

How do you pronounce heir?

In American English /er/; in British English /eə/.

How do you use heir in a sentence?

His daughter is his only heir. The heirs divided the property between them.

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