heir apparent
noun /ˌeər əˈpærənt/
/ˌer əˈpærənt/
(plural heirs apparent)
- heir apparent (to something) an heir whose legal right to receive somebody’s property, money or title cannot be taken away because it is impossible for somebody with a stronger claim to be born see also heir presumptive
- a person who is expected to take the job of somebody when that person leaves