What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inheritor
Example
As the inheritor of her grandmother's estate, she received a substantial amount of money. [inheritor: noun]
Example
The new CEO was the natural inheritor of the company after the previous CEO retired. [inheritor: noun]
heir
Example
The prince was the rightful heir to the throne. [heir: noun]
Example
She was the sole heir to her father's fortune. [heir: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Heir is more commonly used than inheritor in everyday language. Heir is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while inheritor is less common and typically used in legal or formal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between inheritor and heir?
Inheritor is typically associated with a more formal tone, while heir can be used in both formal and informal contexts.