heir apparent

noun

plural heirs apparent

1

: an heir whose right to an inheritance cannot be voided or undone except by exclusion under a valid will if the heir 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

For much of the past year, National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett appeared to be the natural heir apparent. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026

The short answer is that Iran does not have any clear heir apparent, and that any transition away from the Islamic theocracy that has ruled for nearly 50 years is unlikely to be straightforward. —Peter Nicholas, NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026

Lo chairs Shui On; his daughter and heir apparent Stephanie Lo is vice chairman. —Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026

Even Cleveland’s front office considered Ramírez the heir apparent to Mike Aviles as the club’s utility man. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026

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