INHERIT
verb
1. /ɪnˈherɪt/
2. B2
3. To receive money, property, or a title from someone after they die; or to receive a trait or characteristic, usually from one’s parents or ancestors.
4. = receive, acquire, succeed to; derive, acquire (a characteristic)
5. Idea: To inherit is to have your mother's eye color (look at the picture).
6. Usage hints and common mistakes:
a) Prepositions: You "_inherit from" someone and "inherit something". Example: She inherited the house from her grandmother.
b) Can be used figuratively: “He inherited his mother’s passion for music.”
e) "Heirs" are the people who inherit. "Hair" is what you might pull out if you're dealing with complex inheritance laws.
f) “Inheritance” is the noun that refers to the thing(s) inherited. ("receive an inheritance").
g) The adjective form is "inherited" not "inheritable" (though this exists, it's rare). Inherited money/property/wealth.
h) Don’t confuse "inherit" with "bequeath"—you inherit as the receiver, but you bequeath as the giver.
i) Common collocations: inherit a fortune, inherit responsibilities, inherit a legacy, inherit a disease, inherit a trait, inherit a title, inherit a habit.
7. Examples:
She was surprised to inherit a dusty old book collection from her eccentric uncle.
I didn't inherit much money, but I did inherit my grandmother's talent for making the world's best cake.
When the CEO resigned, his replacement had to inherit many unresolved issues left by the old management.
Fact: In Medieval Europe, only firstborn sons usually inherited titles and lands—sorry younger siblings, you got a sword.
verb
1. /ɪnˈherɪt/
2. B2
3. To receive money, property, or a title from someone after they die; or to receive a trait or characteristic, usually from one’s parents or ancestors.
4. = receive, acquire, succeed to; derive, acquire (a characteristic)
5. Idea: To inherit is to have your mother's eye color (look at the picture).
6. Usage hints and common mistakes:
a) Prepositions: You "_inherit from" someone and "inherit something". Example: She inherited the house from her grandmother.
b) Can be used figuratively: “He inherited his mother’s passion for music.”
e) "Heirs" are the people who inherit. "Hair" is what you might pull out if you're dealing with complex inheritance laws.
f) “Inheritance” is the noun that refers to the thing(s) inherited. ("receive an inheritance").
g) The adjective form is "inherited" not "inheritable" (though this exists, it's rare). Inherited money/property/wealth.
h) Don’t confuse "inherit" with "bequeath"—you inherit as the receiver, but you bequeath as the giver.
i) Common collocations: inherit a fortune, inherit responsibilities, inherit a legacy, inherit a disease, inherit a trait, inherit a title, inherit a habit.
7. Examples:
She was surprised to inherit a dusty old book collection from her eccentric uncle.
I didn't inherit much money, but I did inherit my grandmother's talent for making the world's best cake.
When the CEO resigned, his replacement had to inherit many unresolved issues left by the old management.
Fact: In Medieval Europe, only firstborn sons usually inherited titles and lands—sorry younger siblings, you got a sword.