inheritable

adjective

in·​her·​it·​able in-ˈher-ə-tə-bəl 

-ˈhe-rə-

1

: capable of being inherited : transmissible

an inheritable title

2

: capable of taking by inheritance

the eldest son is inheritable to the crown

inheritability

in-ˌher-ə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

-ˌhe-rə-

noun

inheritableness

in-ˈher-ə-tə-bəl-nəs 

-ˈhe-rə-

noun

Synonyms

• genetic
• genetical
• hereditary
• heritable
• inborn
• inherited

Examples of inheritable in a Sentence

eye color is an inheritable trait

Recent Examples on the Web

What can and can’t be drawn from your research to better our understanding of inheritable trauma in humans? —Nicholas Stfleur, STAT, 12 Apr. 2024

This would especially affect people who have inheritable genetic mutations in their family, Dr. Ryniec notes. —Maressa Brown, Parents, 21 Feb. 2024

Funding for research for sickle cell disease is significantly less than the funding for other inheritable childhood diseases. —Janice Blanchard, Scientific American, 18 Dec. 2023

To confirm the male-killer was actually infectious and inheritable, Dr. Shintani needed to juice some tobacco moths. —Elizabeth Anne Brown, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enheritable, inheritable "having right of inheritance, capable of being inherited," borrowed from Anglo-French enheritable, from enheriter "to give (a person) right of inheritance, inherit" + -able -able

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

inheritable

adjective

in·​her·​it·​able in-ˈher-ət-ə-bəl 

: capable of being transmitted from parent to offspring genetically

inheritability

-ˌher-ət-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural inheritabilities

Legal Definition

inheritable

adjective

in·​her·​it·​able in-ˈher-i-tə-bəl 

1

: capable of being inherited

2

: capable of taking by inheritance

inheritability

in-ˌher-i-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

inheritableness noun