heir apparent

noun

plural heirs apparent

1

: an heir whose right to an inheritance is indefeasible except by exclusion under a valid will if he or she survives the ancestor

2

: heir presumptive

3

: one whose succession especially to a position or role appears certain under existing circumstances

Examples of heir apparent in a Sentence

The coach named her assistant as her heir apparent.

Recent Examples on the Web

He’s invited by the team's legendary passer – and Cam’s childhood idol – Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans) to come to his remote compound to see if the kid is a worthy heir apparent. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025

Jensen is likely the heir apparent to Perez behind the plate. —Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025

This time Todd, who has been heralded as the heir apparent to Ralph Lauren, set his sights on Havana and the rakish style of 1980’s Miami. —Blue Carreon, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025

Cameron formerly served as McConnell's legal counsel and had been assumed by pundits to follow the longtime senator's footsteps as his potential heir apparent. —Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for heir apparent

• aberrant
• declarant
• grandparent
• stepparent
• transparent
• errant
• parent
• semitransparent

Kids Definition

heir apparent

noun

plural heirs apparent

: an heir whose right to succeed (as to a throne) cannot be taken away if he or she outlives the present holder

Legal Definition

heir apparent

see heir