hereditary
Describes a characteristic, condition, or title that is passed from a parent to a child through genes or legal succession. It is most frequently used in biological contexts regarding health and physical traits, or in political contexts regarding social status and power.
Examples
3 of 5Eye color is a hereditary trait determined by the genes of both parents.
Eye color is a hereditary trait determined by the genes of both parents.
The bill proposes to abolish the remaining hereditary seats in the upper house of parliament.
The bill proposes to abolish the remaining hereditary seats in the upper house of parliament.
I guess my stubbornness is hereditary; my dad is exactly the same way.
I guess my stubbornness is hereditary; my dad is exactly the same way.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'heir'. An heir is someone who receives something from their family. 'Hereditary' describes the things (genes or titles) an heir receives.
Quick Quiz
The doctor asked if there was any history of ___ heart disease in my family.
Correct!
The correct answer is: hereditary
Examples
Eye color is a hereditary trait determined by the genes of both parents.
everydayEye color is a hereditary trait determined by the genes of both parents.
The bill proposes to abolish the remaining hereditary seats in the upper house of parliament.
formalThe bill proposes to abolish the remaining hereditary seats in the upper house of parliament.
I guess my stubbornness is hereditary; my dad is exactly the same way.
informalI guess my stubbornness is hereditary; my dad is exactly the same way.
Clinical studies suggest that certain types of breast cancer have a strong hereditary component.
academicClinical studies suggest that certain types of breast cancer have a strong hereditary component.
The CEO's position was not hereditary, but he groomed his daughter to take over the firm anyway.
businessThe CEO's position was not hereditary, but he groomed his daughter to take over the firm anyway.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
hereditary succession
hereditary succession
hereditary peer
hereditary peer
hereditary wealth
hereditary wealth
Often Confused With
Congenital means present from birth but not necessarily genetic, while hereditary specifically implies passing through genes.
Usage Notes
Use 'hereditary' when discussing medical conditions that run in families or political systems where power is passed down. It is generally more formal than 'inherited'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the noun 'heredity' when they need the adjective 'hereditary', or they confuse it with 'congenital' when talking about birth defects.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'heir'. An heir is someone who receives something from their family. 'Hereditary' describes the things (genes or titles) an heir receives.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin word 'hereditarius', which comes from 'heres', meaning 'heir'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In the United Kingdom, hereditary peers were individuals whose right to sit in the House of Lords was passed down through their family line.
Quick Quiz
The doctor asked if there was any history of ___ heart disease in my family.
Correct!
The correct answer is: hereditary
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Related Words
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