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

Matthews is viewed as Houston’s heir apparent at second base in the wake of Jose Altuve’s switch to left field. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 16 June 2025

As any outlet that covers Hollywood machinations knows, angry PR people working for top lieutenants call in a fury not only when their boss slips a rung on an executive power list but also when they are mentioned as a potential heir apparent. —Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025

In any other draft class, Jackson would’ve been the focal point of national media — the surefire heir apparent to superstardom. —Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025

Fiction: Green is the heir apparent to Charles Barkley. —Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 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