What does inherit mean?
Word: Inherit
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Inherit means to get a quality, a look or a talent from your parents or grandparents. It can also mean to take over something that someone else had before you, such as a team or a job.
How do you spell inherit?
Syllables: in - her - it
Tricky part: There is only one r in the middle; children who think of words like merry or sorry often double it.
Watch out for: inherrit, enherit
Memory tip: Keep this little saying in mind: one r is all you inherit.
Inherit in a sentence
Example 1: Puppies inherit their markings from their parents, so a spotted puppy often has a spotted mother or father.
Example 2: When Mr Rao retired, the new coach inherited a strong hockey team.
Example 3: A fine singing voice runs in the family, and Arjun has inherited it too.
Fun Fact
Gregor Mendel, a scientist who grew thousands of pea plants in the 1850s and 1860s, worked out the first rules for how living things inherit features such as flower colour.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Champ
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
inher__
a) it
b) at
c) et
d) ut
Show answer
a) it. The last syllable is a short -it.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
tirhein
a) to live in a place, as animals do in a forest
b) to receive something passed down from those before you
c) to breathe air deep into your lungs
d) to stop something from happening or growing
Show answer
b) to receive something passed down from those before you. Sorted out, the letters give inherit; the other definitions belong to its look-alikes inhabit, inhibit and inhale.
Sound Check
In which word is 'h' pronounced differently?
a) inherit
b) ahead
c) exhaust
d) behind
Show answer
c) exhaust. In exhaust the h is silent; you hear it clearly in the other three.
Spell Probe
Choose the meaning of the misspelt word in the given sentence:
Ravi has inherited his father's talent for music, and he practises the violin with great patiance every evening.
a) a natural ability to do something well
b) the part of the day between the afternoon and night
c) a musical instrument with four strings, played with a bow
d) the ability to wait or keep trying calmly without getting upset
Show answer
d) the ability to wait or keep trying calmly without getting upset. Patience takes an e before the -nce; it means staying calm while you wait or keep trying.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Sara's new class teacher says she has inherited a well-behaved class. What does this tell you?
a) The class was formed only this year
b) Another teacher had the class before her
c) The pupils chose her as their teacher
d) She will teach the class for just one day
Show answer
b) Another teacher had the class before her
2. Which of these can a child inherit from a parent?
a) a suntan
b) a short haircut
c) a painted nail
d) eye colour
Show answer
d) eye colour
