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Meaning & use

inheritance

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ɪnˈherɪtəns/
US/ɪnˈherɪtəns/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable or uncountable

    Money, property, or a title that you receive from someone after they die.

    Grammar: Use 'an inheritance' for a specific sum or item; use 'inheritance' without 'a/an' when talking about the idea in general.

    Patterns

    • receive an inheritance
    • leave someone an inheritance
    • an inheritance from someone

    She used her inheritance to buy a small house.

    He received a large inheritance from his grandmother.

    The family argued about the inheritance for months.

  2. noununcountablelegal

    The process by which property or a title passes to someone after the owner dies.

    Grammar: Often used in legal contexts; no plural form.

    Patterns

    • laws of inheritance
    • inheritance tax
    • the inheritance of property

    The law of inheritance determines who gets the estate.

    In some countries, inheritance is taxed heavily.

    She studied the rules of inheritance in her law course.

  3. nouncountable or uncountablebiology

    A physical or characteristic feature passed from parents to children through genes.

    Grammar: In biology, 'inheritance' refers to the genetic transmission of traits; often used with 'of'.

    Patterns

    • genetic inheritance
    • the inheritance of traits
    • inheritance pattern

    Eye color is an example of genetic inheritance.

    The inheritance of certain diseases can be predicted.

    Scientists study inheritance to understand how traits are passed on.

Word forms

pluralinheritances

Common combinations

receive an inheritance
He received an inheritance from his uncle.
leave an inheritance
She left a small inheritance to each of her grandchildren.
inheritance tax
The government introduced a new inheritance tax.
genetic inheritance
Genetic inheritance explains why some diseases run in families.
claim an inheritance
He traveled to the city to claim his inheritance.

Synonyms and how they differ

legacy
Often refers to money or property left in a will, but can also mean something handed down from the past; 'inheritance' is more general and includes titles.
heritage
Refers to cultural traditions or property passed down through generations, not necessarily after death; 'inheritance' usually implies a legal transfer after death.
bequest
A legal term for property left to someone in a will; 'inheritance' can also refer to the process or the genetic sense.

Word family

inherit verb
To receive money, property, or a trait from someone after they die or from your parents.
inheritor noun
A person who receives an inheritance.
inheritable adjective
Capable of being inherited, especially of genetic traits.

Commonly confused: inheritance or heritage?

inheritance vs heritage

Heritage refers to cultural traditions, history, and values passed down through generations, while inheritance often means money or property received after someone dies.

Practice

Which sentence uses 'inheritance' correctly to mean money or property received after someone's death?

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