hereditary

adjective he·red·i·tary \hə-ˈre-də-ˌter-ē\

: passed or able to be passed from parent to child before birth

: passing from a person who has died to that person's child or younger relative

: holding a position or title that was passed on from your parent or an older relative

Full Definition of HEREDITARY

a : genetically transmitted or transmittable from parent to offspring

b : characteristic of or fostered by one's predecessors

a : received or passing by inheritance or required to pass by inheritance or by reason of birth

b : having title or possession through inheritance or by reason of birth

: of a kind established by tradition <hereditary enemies>

: of or relating to inheritance or heredity

— he·red·i·tar·i·ly \-ˌre-də-ˈter-ə-lē\ adverb

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Origin of HEREDITARY

Middle English hereditarie, from Latin hereditarius, from hereditas

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to HEREDITARY

Synonyms: genetic (also genetical), heritable, inborn, inheritable, inherited

Antonyms: nonhereditary

Synonym Discussion of HEREDITARY

innate, inborn, inbred, congenital, hereditary mean not acquired after birth. innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature <an innate sense of fair play>. inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so <her inborn love of nature>. inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way <inbred political loyalties>. congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors <a congenital heart murmur> <eye color is hereditary>.