heir apparent

[ air uh-pair-uhnt, uh-par- ]

noun

, plural heirs ap·par·ent.

1. an heir whose right is indefeasible, provided they survive their ancestor.
2. a person whose succession to a position appears certain:

   His popularity makes him the chief 's heir apparent.

heir apparent

noun

1. property law a person whose right to succeed to certain property cannot be defeated, provided such person survives his ancestor Compare heir presumptive

Other Words From

• heir ap·par·en·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heir apparent¹

First recorded in 1325–75 Middle English

Example Sentences

The most glaring sign that we’ve turned a permanent corner is Trump’s vice presidential pick and heir apparent.

From Slate

Roigard, in a rich vein of form for the Hurricanes and the heir apparent to the All Black nine jersey, had been tackled by Highlanders’ James Arscott.

From BBC

The pop move has been anticipated since this 31-year-old country singer and songwriter emerged about a decade ago in the wake of Taylor Swift, a foundational influence whose early embrace of Ballerini as an heir apparent left many waiting for an inevitable “1989”-style crossover moment of her own.

From Los Angeles Times

Indeed, after a loss for the ticket, talk of Vance as the heir apparent would sound laughable to many, especially the slew of GOP pols who would be eager to run on the promise of a fresh start.

From Los Angeles Times

What it could do, though, is shore up Vance’s position as heir apparent to Trump within the Republican Party.

From Slate

Related Words

• crown prince