Meaning & use

inherit

verb·Everyday

To receive money, property, or a title from someone after they die, or to acquire a trait or situation from a predecessor.

See it in a sentence

She inherited her grandmother's house after the will was settled.

The new manager inherited a team that was already behind on its targets.

A note on using this word

Inherit can describe legal inheritance, genetic traits ('inherit her mother's eyes'), or simply taking over a situation someone else left behind.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

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