hereditary Definition
- 1passing of traits or characteristics from parents to offspring through genes
- 2able to be passed down from one generation to the next
- 3inherited 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
Antonyms for hereditary
- acquired
- non-hereditary
Phrases with hereditary
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.
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.
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'
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.'
