Words / B2

in-HER-it-uh-ns/ɪnˈherɪtəns/

Inheritance is money or property from someone who has died, or a genetic trait: an inheritance; inheritance tax; genetic inheritance. Inherit is the verb (already in the dictionary). Inheritance tax featured in the case study. Uncountable in the tax/genetic senses; countable as a legacy. Mix-up: heritage is culture passed down.

Meaning

Money or property received from someone who has died; also a genetic trait.

Examples

• “Inheritance tax featured in the economics case study on family firms.”
• “Genetic inheritance explained the pedigree chart, which is the biology sense.”

Good to know

an inheritance; inheritance tax; genetic inheritance. Verb: inherit. Close (culture): heritage. Economics, law, and biology.

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