hereditary

[huh-red-i-ter-ee]

hereditary Definition

• 1. passing of traits or characteristics from parents to offspring through genes
• 2. able to be passed down from one generation to the next
• 3. inherited or inheritable by established rules of descent

Using hereditary: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "hereditary" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The disease is hereditary and runs in the family.

• Example

  She has a hereditary disposition to obesity.

• Example

  The throne was hereditary in their family.

hereditary Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for hereditary

• genetic
• inherited
• transmitted
• patrimonial
• ancestral

Antonyms for hereditary

• acquired
• non-hereditary

Phrases with hereditary

• hereditary peer

  a member of the House of Lords in the UK whose title is inherited rather than appointed

  Example

  The hereditary peers make up a small but influential group in the House of Lords.

• hereditary monarchy

  a form of government where the monarch's position is passed down through the family line

  Example

  The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with a hereditary monarch.

• hereditary disease

  a disease caused by an abnormality in an individual's DNA that is passed down through generations

  Example

  Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that affects the lungs and digestive system.

Origins of hereditary

from Latin 'hereditarius', meaning 'of inheritance'

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Summary: hereditary in Brief

'Hereditary' [huh-red-i-ter-ee] refers to the passing of traits or characteristics from parents to offspring through genes. It can also mean something that is able to be passed down from one generation to the next, or inherited by established rules of descent. Examples include hereditary diseases, peerage, and monarchy. Synonyms include 'genetic' and 'inherited.'