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

Also, while Winona Ryder, as Lydia Deetz, was Miss Goth Teen 1988, decades later Jenna Ortega is perfectly cast as daughter Astrid, her rebellious heir apparent. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2024

Oda is the heir apparent in Japan to the legendary Shingo Kunieda, a fixture in conversations about who is the GOAT—greatest of all time—in wheelchair tennis. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024

In the text, John—now the heir apparent—wrote: It may be felt, perhaps, that Joe should not have pushed his luck so far and should have accepted his leave and come home. —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024

Then, its heir apparent Jonathan Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment, leading to his firing and questions about the future of the villainous Kang. —Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 29 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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