inherited

[ˌɪnhˈɛrətɪd] /in-ˈher-ət How to pronounce inherit (audio) -ˈhe-rət/ (ame, mw)

inherited — verb

  • inheritedpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • inheriteds3rd person singular
  • inheriteding-ing form
  • inheritededpast simple

1. to come to own money, property, or an official position because it passes to you

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to come to own money, property, or an official position because it passes to you when a family member dies

例句

Maja inherited her grandmother's apartment in Tainan last spring.

inherit + family property after a death

After Uncle Wei died, Hamza inherited the family watch shop.

inherit + business or property

同義詞
  • receive

    broader and less specific; it does not imply a death or family transfer

  • be left

    common everyday wording for property named in a will

  • come into

    more informal, often used for money or property gained unexpectedly

反義詞
  • bequeath

    describes the act of leaving property to someone in a will

  • give away

    describes transferring property while still alive

文法句型

inherit + money/property/title

inherit + noun phrase + from + noun phrase

用法筆記

This sense is used for property, money, land, and titles that pass to someone after a death. It is more specific than simply receiving a gift or payment.

常見錯誤

❌Nkechi inherited a bike from her aunt for her birthday.
✅Nkechi received a bike from her aunt for her birthday.
💡Use 'inherit' only when something passes to you because someone has died.

2. to naturally have a feature, ability, or health condition because it was passed

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to naturally have a feature, ability, or health condition because it was passed down in your family

例句

Noa inherited her father's curly hair and quick smile.

inherit + physical trait

Liam inherited asthma from his mother's side of the family.

inherit + health condition

同義詞
  • get

    much more general and less exact; it does not specifically suggest family transmission

  • take after

    informal and often used when someone resembles a parent in looks or behavior

  • be born with

    focuses on having the trait from birth rather than the family source

反義詞
  • learn

    describes an ability gained through teaching or practice

  • acquire

    used for something developed later rather than passed down by family

文法句型

inherit + trait/condition

inherit + noun phrase + from + noun phrase

用法筆記

This sense is for qualities that come through family lines, such as appearance, illnesses, or natural abilities. Do not use it for things someone taught you directly.

常見錯誤

❌Ravi inherited French from his mother because she taught him at home.
✅Ravi learned French from his mother because she taught him at home.
💡Use 'inherit' for traits passed through family lines, not for skills taught by another person.

3. to become responsible for a difficult situation that another person created or c

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to become responsible for a difficult situation that another person created or could not finish dealing with

例句

Anong inherited a huge debt after buying the restaurant from her cousin.

inherit + existing problem

The new principal inherited several staffing problems at the school.

inherit + workplace problems

同義詞
  • take over

    common and broad; it does not always imply that the situation is troublesome

  • be left with

    stresses the burden of the situation more strongly

  • assume

    more formal and often used for duties or responsibility

反義詞
  • resolve

    to deal with the problem so it no longer remains

  • hand over

    the action of passing the problem or duty to someone else

文法句型

inherit + problem/debt/system/team

inherit + noun phrase + after/when + clause

用法筆記

This sense is usually used for problems, debt, weak systems, or difficult jobs that someone takes over from another person. Distinguish it from sense 1, which is about legal or family transfer after a death.

常見錯誤

❌Lan inherited tomorrow's team meeting from her manager.
✅Lan took over tomorrow's team meeting from her manager.
💡Use this sense for ongoing problems or burdens, not for any ordinary task that is simply handed over.