Difference between Heir and Successor

What is the difference between Heir and Successor?

Heir as a noun is someone who inherits, or is designated to inherit, the property of another. while Successor as a noun is a person or thing that immediately follows another in holding an office or title.

Heir

Part of speech: noun

Definition: Someone who inherits, or is designated to inherit, the property of another. One who inherits, or has been designated to inherit, a hereditary title or office. A successor in a role, representing continuity with the predecessor.

Example sentence: Anytime you have a reelection campaign against an incumbent president and you're the party out of power - on the one hand it's wide open because there's not an heir apparent - but people are also gauging how strong is that incumbent president and what are my chances.

Successor

Part of speech: noun

Definition: A person or thing that immediately follows another in holding an office or title.The next heir in order or succession.A person who inherits a title or officeThe integer immediately following another

Example sentence: A woman finds the natural lay of the land almost unconsciously; and not feeling it incumbent on her to be guide and philosopher to any successor, she takes little pains to mark the route by which she is making her ascent.

We hope you now know whether to use Heir or Successor in your sentence.

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