Heir Apparent (Noun)
Meaning
An heir whose right to an inheritance cannot be defeated if that person outlives the ancestor.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- The young prince was widely regarded as the heir apparent to the throne after his father's serious illness.
- Her parents made no secret of the fact that she was their heir apparent and would inherit the family business when they retired.
- After the tragic death of the previous heir, he was suddenly elevated to heir apparent and had to prepare for the throne.
- She had been the heir apparent for so long that no one seriously challenged her right to inherit the title.
- When his uncle was appointed heir apparent to the dukedom, many assumed it was only a matter of time before he would become the duke himself.