Meaning & use
bequests
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“bequests” is a form of “bequest”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounplurallegal
Money or property that a person formally leaves to someone in a will.
Grammar: Plural of bequest: the will listed three bequests.
Patterns
- bequests to someone
- bequests from someone
The will listed several bequests to nieces and nephews.
The museum relies on bequests from generous donors.
Small bequests to charity were made in her will.
Word forms
| singular | bequest |
|---|
Common combinations
- charitable bequests
- Charitable bequests fund the new wing.
- leave bequests
- She left bequests to each grandchild.
- bequests to the church
- Bequests to the church paid for the roof.
- generous bequests
- Generous bequests supported the library.
- make bequests
- Wealthy donors often make bequests to universities.
Synonyms and how they differ
- legacies
- Legacies is the common word for gifts left in a will and sounds less formal than bequests.
- inheritances
- Inheritances focus on what the receiver gets, while bequests focus on what the giver leaves.
- endowments
- Endowments are gifts of money meant to produce lasting income, not always given by will.
Word family
Commonly confused: bequests or requests?
bequests vs requests
Requests are things you ask for, but bequests are gifts left after death.
Practice
The charity received several large ______ from supporters who named it in their wills.
Choose one answer.
Bequests are gifts left in a will. Requests are asks and the others do not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bequests”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.