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

Related Articles Francis, history’s first Latin American pope, clearly had his eye on Prevost and in many ways saw him as his heir apparent. —Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025

Abel has been tabbed for several years as the heir apparent to Berkshire’s 94-year-old leader. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 May 2025

The Dallas Cowboys drafted the heir apparent to Zack Martin with the selection of Alabama guard Tyler Booker in the NFL Draft on Thursday. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2025

Lavon Johnson — The 6-2, 311-pound sophomore might have been the heir apparent to replace starting nose tackle Jordan Phillips, who declared for the NFL draft early. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 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