bequeath

IPA/bɪˈkwiːð/
KK[bɪkwˈiθ]IPA/bɪˈkwiːð/

bequeath — verb

  • bequeathpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • bequeathshe / she / it
  • bequeathedpast simple
  • bequeathing-ing form

1. to state in a legally valid will that a named person, group, or institution shou

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to state in a legally valid will that a named person, group, or institution should receive something you own — for example, money, a house, or jewellery — after you die.

Example

When Sofia's grandfather passed away, he bequeathed his entire estate to her and her two brothers.

bequeathed his entire estate to

The art collector bequeathed five valuable paintings to the National Museum of Taiwan.

bequeathed five valuable paintings to

Common collocations
  • bequeath an estate
  • bequeath a fortune
  • bequeath property
  • bequeath money
  • bequeath a collection
  • bequeath shares
  • bequeath assets
Synonyms
  • leave

    more general and common; does not imply a formal will or death

  • will (verb)

    narrowly legal, less common in everyday speech

  • hand down

    informal; can refer to giving something to a younger family member while still alive

Antonyms
  • disinherit

    to deliberately exclude someone from one's will

Grammar Patterns

bequeath + object + to + recipient

bequeath + object

Usage Note

Frequently appears in passive voice: 'The estate was bequeathed to the museum.' The recipient is always introduced by the preposition 'to'.

Common Mistakes

He bequeathed his car to me while he was still alive.
He left his car to me while he was still alive.
'bequeath' only applies to arrangements made for after death; use 'leave', 'give', or 'hand down' while the person is still living.

2. to leave valuable ideas, skills, traditions, or the results of your work for lat

2.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to leave valuable ideas, skills, traditions, or the results of your work for later generations to benefit from or continue after you are gone.

Example

The elderly musician bequeathed his knowledge of traditional folk songs to the younger players in the village.

bequeathed his knowledge of traditional folk songs to

Haruto's father bequeathed his woodworking skills to Haruto, who now runs the family workshop.

Common collocations
  • bequeath knowledge
  • bequeath skills
  • bequeath a tradition
  • bequeath a legacy
  • bequeath wisdom
  • bequeath values
  • bequeath a passion
Synonyms
  • pass on

    more informal; can happen at any time, not only after death

  • hand down

    common for traditions and skills across generations; may happen while the giver is still alive

  • transmit

    more neutral and technical; can apply to information, culture, or disease

Grammar Patterns

bequeath + object + to + recipient

Usage Note

The object is typically an abstract noun such as knowledge, skills, a tradition, a passion, or a legacy. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not involve a legal will and can describe gradual influence over a lifetime.

Common Mistakes

The scientist bequeathed her research notes to the library archives.' (if she gave them before death)
The scientist donated her research notes to the library archives.
'bequeath' (sense 2) describes a figurative passing-on of ideas and influence, not physical donations made while alive.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Bequeath' (sense 1) is the most formal and legally precise term for giving property after death through a will. 'Leave' is far more common, used in both formal and everyday contexts ('She left her car to her daughter'), but does not necessarily imply a legal document. 'Will' as a verb ('She willed the house to her son') is narrowly legal and rare in speech. 'Hand down' is informal and can refer to giving objects or traditions across generations while the giver is still alive. 'Pass on' is even more general, covering both material items and abstract qualities. 'Endow' means to provide a permanent source of income, usually to an institution such as a university or museum. For example: 'Mrs. Chen bequeathed her library to the university' (formal, after death), but 'Her father handed down the watch while still alive' (informal, before death).

leave ↗will ↗hand down ↗pass on ↗endow ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in one's will
  • by will

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

From Middle English 'bequethen', which came from Old English 'becwethan' — a combination of 'be-' (about, concerning) and 'cwethan' (to say or speak). Originally it meant 'to declare or speak about something', but by the 1400s its meaning had narrowed to 'declare in a will, leave property after death'. The modern sense of passing on intangible things like skills or ideas developed in the 1800s.