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heir — a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɛr/

Example Sentences

  • The billionaire's dog became the heir to his entire fortune
  • She discovered she was the heir to a chocolate factory
  • The lazy prince was a terrible heir who only cared about video games

heir

NOUN

[/ɛr/]

a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death

The young prince is the heir to the throne.
💡 Concept

The young prince is the heir to the throne.

The rightful heir will take the chair —
the crown will pass with royal care.
🎵 Rhyme

The rightful heir will take the chair — the crown will pass with royal care.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɛr/
🇬🇧 UK/eə(r)/

🌳Etymology

Rootheir

Origin

From Old French 'heir' (also 'heire'), which derives from Latin 'heres' meaning 'inheritor' or 'one who inherits'. The word entered English through Norman French after the 1066 conquest.

Breakdown

Latin 'heres' (inheritor) → Old French 'heir' → English 'heir'. No productive morpheme breakdown in modern English, as it is an inherited root word.

🎵Rhyme

air
care
share
bear

🔗Collocations

heir to the throne
legal heir
rightful heir
heir apparent
sole heir
heir to fortune

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The billionaire's dog became the heir to his entire fortune”

“She discovered she was the heir to a chocolate factory”

😄 Fun example

“The lazy prince was a terrible heir who only cared about video games”

“As the eldest son, he was considered the natural heir”

📚Related Words

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