Hereditary
adjective /hɪˈrɛd.ɪ.tɛr.i/ — Passed down through genes from parent to child
Definition
Transmitted from parent to child through genetic inheritance — passed down through biological lines. Hereditary conditions, traits, and tendencies are encoded in DNA and express themselves across generations.
Beyond the definition
Hereditary is the word for the inheritance you didn't choose — the traits that arrived in your cells before you arrived in the world. It contains the ancestor who gave you their nose, their temper, their talent, their illness.
Origin & history
Latin: hereditarius (of inheritance), from heres (heir). Related to 'heritage' — that which is passed down. The word acknowledges the biological chain that connects generations.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The condition was hereditary — his father had it, his grandmother had it.
Some of our strongest traits are hereditary, which complicates the idea of self-making.
Hereditary disease is the intersection of biology, family, and identity.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Hereditary” when the meaning fits your context: Transmitted from parent to child through genetic inheritance — passed down through biological lines. Hereditary conditions, traits, and tendencies are encoded in DNA and express themselves across generations.
Synonyms
genetic, inherited, familial
Antonyms
acquired, environmental
Related words
Hereditary vs genetic
Hereditary specifically implies inheritance from parents to offspring. Genetic refers to anything relating to genes, which can include mutations that are not inherited.
Compare this word
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Conflict Passed Through Generations
Two adults have a heated argument with angry gestures and a hand raised for pause.
The persistent pattern of disagreement mirrors the way traits are encoded and passed down. Hereditary conditions are transmitted through biological lines, much like how the tension between these two figures appears to be a deep-rooted, recurring cycle of hostility.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Hereditary" mean?
Hereditary is adjective meaning: Passed down through genes from parent to child. Transmitted from parent to child through genetic inheritance — passed down through biological lines. Hereditary conditions, traits, and tendencies are encoded in DNA and express themselves across generations.
Where does the word "Hereditary" come from?
Latin: hereditarius (of inheritance), from heres (heir). Related to 'heritage' — that which is passed down. The word acknowledges the biological chain that connects generations.