Meaning & use
bequeath
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Meanings
verbtransitiveformallegal
To leave money or property to someone in a will after your death.
Grammar: Takes an object; often followed by 'to': 'bequeath something to someone'. Can also take two objects: 'bequeath someone something'.
Patterns
- bequeath something to someone
- bequeath someone something
- bequeath something
She bequeathed her entire estate to her niece.
He bequeathed his collection of rare books to the university.
In his will, he bequeathed the house to his son.
verbtransitiveformal
To pass something on to people who come after you, such as knowledge, a tradition, or a problem.
Grammar: Often used with abstract nouns: 'bequeath a legacy', 'bequeath a problem'.
Patterns
- bequeath something to someone
- bequeath a legacy
- bequeath a problem
The previous government bequeathed a huge debt to its successor.
The scientist bequeathed a legacy of important research to future generations.
Word forms
| third person singular | bequeaths |
|---|---|
| past tense | bequeathed |
| past participle | bequeathed |
| -ing form | bequeathing |
Common combinations
- bequeath something to someone
- She bequeathed her jewelry to her granddaughter.
- bequeath a legacy
- The artist bequeathed a rich legacy of paintings to the nation.
- bequeath a fortune
- He bequeathed a fortune to charity.
- bequeath property
- The old man bequeathed his property to his caretaker.
Synonyms and how they differ
- leave
- The everyday word for the same idea; use 'leave' in normal conversation and 'bequeath' in formal or legal writing.
- will
- As a verb, 'will' means to formally arrange for something to be given after your death; it is close to 'bequeath' but more often used in legal contexts.
- hand down
- Focuses on passing something to the next generation, often traditions or objects; 'bequeath' is more formal and usually about property.
Opposites
Word family
- bequest noun
- Money or property left to someone in a will.
Commonly confused: bequeath or bequest? bequeath or bestow?
bequeath vs bequest
'Bequest' is the noun (the thing left); 'bequeath' is the verb (the act of leaving it).
bequeath vs bestow
'Bestow' means to give something as an honor or gift, often formally; 'bequeath' specifically involves leaving something after death.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'bequeath' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Bequeath' takes the pattern 'bequeath something to someone'. Option B uses 'from' wrongly; option C has the wrong word order; option D means she left her daughter, not property.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bequeath”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.