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

And, despite the fierce debate over pensions, the text was fuzzy on whether old-age savings would be inheritable. —Andres Velasco, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2022

There is a form of inheritable rickets that can be passed down through families. Vitamin D deficiency is a common cause of rickets. —Patty Weasler, Rn, Bsn, Verywell Health, 13 Aug. 2024

Summary Rickets is a health condition that develops in children who do not get enough vitamin D or may have developed as an inheritable condition. —Patty Weasler, Rn, Bsn, Verywell Health, 13 Aug. 2024

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

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