Vocabulary Lesson
Learn 12 Essential Nouns Related to Inheritance
Inheritance
NOUN - Intermediate
Something you receive from someone, including money, property, possessions, rights, or even family traits.
Today, the inheritance of digital assets like cryptocurrencies is complicated because the laws are still developing.
Legacy
NOUN - Intermediate
The lasting impact someone leaves behind, such as their achievements, memories, or contributions to the world.
A good reputation is often considered a person’s most valuable legacy.
Heritage
NOUN - Intermediate
The traditions, culture, or practices passed down through generations within a family or community.
UNESCO designates World Heritage Sites to preserve important global landmarks.
Birthright
NOUN - Advanced
Something you are entitled to just because of the family or place you are born into, like certain privileges or rights.
In ancient societies, a birthright might include titles, property, or leadership roles.
Heirloom
NOUN - Advanced
An item passed down through generations within a family, often with sentimental value.
In Indigenous cultures, heirlooms like totems, masks, or weavings are more than personal possessions; they are crucial for preserving cultural identity and practices.
Estate
NOUN - Intermediate
Everything a person owns when they die, including their house, money, and other possessions.
Famous estates, like Elvis Presley’s Graceland, often become public attractions.
Traits
NOUN - Intermediate
The qualities or characteristics that make you who you are, like your personality, appearance, or habits.
Traits can be modified by diet, exercise, and other lifestyle choices.
Genes
NOUN - Basic
Pieces of DNA that influence physical and behavioral traits and various biological processes.
Humans have approximately 20,000-25,000 genes.
Heir
NOUN - Intermediate
Someone who is legally entitled to inherit things, like money or property, from someone after they die.
In many countries, the heir pays taxes on inherited wealth.
Will
NOUN - Basic
A legal document that says how a person wants their things (money, property, etc.) to be divided after they die.
Without a will, the rules of inheritance are usually decided by the court system.
Succession
NOUN - Advanced
The order in which people assume roles or inherit something, such as when one leader is replaced by another.
Shakespeare’s plays often feature disputes over succession (King Lear is a famous example).
Beneficiary
NOUN - Advanced
A person or organization that receives assets from someone’s will, insurance, or another arrangement after that person dies.
In some places, a pet can be named as a beneficiary, and a trust can be created to make sure they are well taken care of.
