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

Franco is the heir apparent to the Michael Haneke world of unsettled, austere psychological pain against geopolitical backdrops onscreen, and Chastain is more game than ever to play along with his hopeless world. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025

This time last year, Luciano was the heir apparent to Brandon Crawford, who announced his retirement in November. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025

Acuña would also make an impact in 2025 and could be the heir apparent at shortstop for impending free agent Bo Bichette. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025

But just who is the man Sandler jokingly identified as heir apparent to the sketch comedy institution? —EW.com, 17 Feb. 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