What does heritable mean?
Heritable is an adjective meaning capable of being passed on by inheritance. In biology and genetics, it is used for characteristics that may be transmitted from parents to offspring, such as certain genetic traits or predispositions. Being heritable does not necessarily mean that a trait will appear in every descendant, nor that its effects are fixed; environmental conditions, other genes, and chance can all influence how a characteristic is expressed. In legal contexts, heritable describes property, rights, titles, or interests that may pass to heirs. The word is formal and technical compared with the more conversational “inherited,” but it is useful when the emphasis is on the possibility of transmission rather than on a particular act of receiving something from a predecessor. Heritable is closely related to “heritage,” “inherit,” and “hereditary,” all of which reflect the same long-standing idea of possession or transmission across generations.
adjectiveCapable of being passed on by inheritance, especially a characteristic, quality, or legal right. In biology, it may describe traits that can be transmitted from parents to offspring; in law, it may describe property or rights that pass to heirs.
- Capable of being transmitted from parents to offspring or otherwise passed on through inheritance.
- Capable of being transferred by inheritance, especially as a legal right, title, or interest in property.
"The genetic condition is heritable, although its severity can vary among affected family members."
"Some heritable traits increase the likelihood of developing a particular disease."
"Under the will, the family retained a heritable interest in the property."
Heritable does not mean inevitable: inheritance can pass a trait down, while genetics and environment still shape how it appears.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of heritable
Heritable derives from the Latin adjective haereditabilis, meaning “capable of being inherited,” which is related to haereditas, “inheritance,” and haereditare, “to inherit.” The word entered English through medieval French and Latinate legal usage, in which it referred to rights and property that could pass through inheritance. Its later scientific sense developed by applying the same idea of transmission to biological characteristics passed between generations.
Related word forms
How heritable is actually used
The word is especially common in biology, genetics, and law. In general conversation, “inherited” is usually more natural when describing a characteristic that has been passed down.
Easily confused with heritable
Heritable usually means capable of being passed on by inheritance, whereas inheritable more often means able to receive an inheritance, although the two terms overlap in legal usage.