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

Example Sentences

The coach named her assistant as her heir apparent.

Recent Examples on the Web

The top title is typically given to the eldest son of the monarch who is heir apparent. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2022

There is no automatic succession to the title, so his heir apparent—his eldest son, Prince William—must be created Prince of Wales. —Emily Burack, Town & Country, 8 Sep. 2022

Cruz won’t be the heir apparent. —Gilbert Garcia, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Jan. 2022

In every other way the owners have already set up Dear Jane’s as the incontrovertible heir apparent. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2023

Lehman, who worked without salary for four years, had long planned to leave state service after one term, leaving Daum as heir apparent. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 16 Nov. 2022

For a long time Mr. Sunak was considered Mr. Johnson’s heir apparent. —Eshe Nelson, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2022

Bart, the heir apparent to Buster Posey, was sent down at one point last season and wasn’t catching the team’s top starters down the stretch. —Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2023

His own daughter – the heir apparent to the company who had appeared groomed to take the job for years – resigned. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 14 Jan. 2023

See More

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