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

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

In short, Vance was trying to show that if Trump loses – which is increasingly more likely – then he, JD Vance at 40 years of age is the heir apparent in the Republican Party.

From Salon

Miller Moss isn’t the flashy, big-name quarterback Lincoln Riley is used to having under center, but he has been the heir apparent since Caleb Williams left.

From Los Angeles Times

Teammates called for him to be the heir apparent from the postgame podium.

From Los Angeles Times

Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time major winner who is the Spanish heir apparent to Nadal, is expected to add to that in the coming years.

From BBC

Related Words

• crown prince