heiress
UK: ˈeə.res | US: ˈer.es
n. a woman who is legally entitled to inherit property, rank, or titles, especially as the sole inheritor.
The word "heiress" combines "heir" (from Old French heir, derived from Latin heres, meaning "inheritor") with the feminine suffix "-ess" (from Late Latin -issa, via Greek -ισσα). The suffix was historically used to form feminine nouns in English (e.g., "actress," "hostess"). While "-ess" is less common in modern English due to gender-neutral language trends, "heiress" remains in use to specify a female inheritor, often in aristocratic or legal contexts.
The heiress inherited her family’s vast estate at the age of 25.
As the sole heiress, she was groomed to take over the business empire.
The media closely followed the heiress’s philanthropic endeavors.
She became an heiress after her father’s untimely passing.
The title of heiress carried both privilege and responsibility.