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

They are seen as the heirs apparent to reigning world champions Chock and Bates, who have competed in the event for the last 12 years. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026

The euro holds second place at roughly 20%, but no single currency has emerged as a credible heir apparent. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026

And the Pioneers went into the season with 6-foot-3 freshman Quentin Miller as the heir apparent to Davis, with Hicks, the other freshman goalie, waiting quietly in the wings. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2026

Kevin Mayer, integral to Disney’s strategic planning and who had recently led the blockbuster launch of Disney+, was viewed a potential heir apparent. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Mar. 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 also:

heir