inheritable

[ in-her-i-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. capable of being inherited.
2. capable of inheriting; qualified to inherit.

inheritable

/ ɪnˈhɛrɪtəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being transmitted by heredity from one generation to a later one
2. capable of being inherited
3. rare.
   capable of inheriting; having the right to inherit

Derived Forms

• inˈheritably, adverb
• inˌheritaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• in·herit·a·bili·ty in·herit·a·ble·ness noun
• in·herit·a·bly adverb
• nonin·herit·a·bili·ty noun
• nonin·herit·a·ble adjective
• nonin·herit·a·ble·ness noun
• unin·herit·a·bili·ty noun
• unin·herit·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inheritable¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Anglo-French; in- ², heritable

Example Sentences

Scientists in Japan have identified a virus that selectively kills males — and it happens to be inheritable, creating generation upon generation of all females.

From New York Times

The nation itself held on to the mineral rights of the land, granting each member an inheritable “headright” to the share of the nation’s mineral wealth.

From National Geographic

With a genetic predisposition, the inheritable mutations are frequently found in DNA repair genes.

From Seattle Times

After decades of research, gene therapies have begun reshaping the treatment of cancers and rare inheritable diseases with medicines that can modify or correct mutations embedded in people’s genetic code.

From Seattle Times

A man fathered 15 children after advertising his sperm on social media despite having an inheritable condition, a court has heard.

From BBC

Related Words

• genetic
• inborn
• transmitted