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

In other races, departing councilmembers are seeking to hand-pick their successors, throwing their weight behind current staffers and other heirs apparent. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025

Princess Elisabeth, 23, is the eldest child and heir apparent to her father, the King, poised to make history as Belgium’s first queen regnant — the country’s first reigning female monarch. —Janine Henni, People.com, 18 June 2025

Swiatek has often talked about her admiration for Nadal; Alcaraz is considered the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s heir apparent. —Howard Fendrich, Baltimore Sun, 26 May 2025

Princess Elisabeth, heir apparent to the throne of Belgium, just completed her first year at Harvard. —Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 23 May 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