hereditary

Everyday

1. (science) Hereditary describes a feature or illness that is passed from parents to children through genes. tree →
2. Hereditary describes a title, job or right that is passed down in a family from parent to child, like a crown. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons it goes with inheritance and genes: eye colour, freckles and some illnesses are hereditary. In history and politics, kings, queens and some lords hold hereditary titles; the UK House of Lords used to have many hereditary peers. Phrases: «hereditary disease», «hereditary title», «hereditary monarchy».

Examples

• Freckles are often hereditary. tree →
• The doctor asked if the illness was hereditary. tree →
• The UK has a hereditary monarchy. tree →
• His grandfather had a hereditary title as a lord. tree →
• Being left-handed is partly hereditary. tree →
• Some hereditary diseases can be tested for before birth. tree →

Note

Adjective. Pronounced «huh-RED-ih-tree» or «huh-RED-ih-tair-ee». Related: heredity (noun), heritage, inherit, heir. Trap: not everything that runs in a family is hereditary — habits and language are learned, not passed by genes.