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

As the band itself is seemingly the heir apparent torchbearers of the jam scene, Goose was coming in red hot to Northlands after a recent gig at the Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre in Colorado, an audience of thousands in attendance. —Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2024

Also, Fashanu could potentially be the heir apparent at left tackle, with Smith only signing a one-year deal last month. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2024

In fact, Charles was the longest-serving heir apparent in British history due to his mother's historic 70-year reign. —Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 11 June 2024

Raisi was so loyal to Khamenei that he was widely viewed as his heir apparent. —Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 24 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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