Difference Wiki

Heritage vs. Inherited: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 5, 2023
Heritage refers to cultural, traditional, or ancestral practices, properties, and knowledge passed down through generations. Inherited refers to assets or genetic traits received from predecessors.

Key Differences

Heritage represents a broad term that embodies the cultural, historical, and sometimes physical assets, traits, or traditions passed down from previous generations. These could include language, rituals, architecture, and more. In contrast, "inherited" is often used in a narrower context to describe something tangible or biological that one directly receives from one's ancestors, such as property or genetic traits.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Heritage typically encompasses collective or communal aspects, serving as a part of a group or society's shared identity. On the other hand, "inherited" is generally more individualistic, focusing on the assets or traits that a person or entity has directly acquired from predecessors.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Grammatically, "heritage" primarily functions as a noun. It describes something held in common by a group, often intangible. "Inherited," however, is generally used as a past participle or an adjective to describe something that has been passed down, as in "inherited wealth" or "inherited characteristics."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
To summarize, heritage refers to a broad array of cultural, historical, or traditional attributes that are collectively shared and passed down. In contrast, "inherited" deals more with the individual reception of particular assets, whether tangible like property or intangible like genetic traits.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Comparison Chart

Scope

Broad (cultural, historical, etc.)
Narrow (property, genetics)
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT

Context

Collective or communal
Individualistic
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Materiality

Can be intangible
Usually tangible or biological
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Grammatical Role

Primarily a noun
Often a past participle or adjective
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023

Examples

Traditions, language, folklore
Property, genetic traits
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Heritage and Inherited Definitions

Heritage

Shared history
The heritage of the Civil Rights Movement is important.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT

Inherited

Genetic traits
He inherited his blue eyes from his mother.
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023

Heritage

Architectural assets
The heritage buildings need preservation.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Inherited

Acquired wealth
She inherited a considerable sum of money.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023

Heritage

Ancestral traditions
Our family's heritage includes various holiday rituals.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Inherited

Legal entitlement
He inherited the family business.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT

Heritage

Cultural legacy
The heritage of the Native Americans is rich and diverse.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023

Inherited

Passed-down responsibilities
She inherited her father's role in the community.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Heritage

Property that is or can be inherited; an inheritance.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Inherited

Received property
She inherited a house from her grandparents.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Heritage

Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Inherited

To take (property) by law of descent from an intestate owner.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Heritage

The status acquired by a person through birth; a birthright
A heritage of affluence and social position.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Inherited

To receive (property) by will; receive by bequest or devise.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Heritage

A domesticated animal or a crop of a traditional breed, usually not widely produced for commercial purposes.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Inherited

To receive or take over from a predecessor
The new administration inherited the economic problems of the last four years.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Heritage

An inheritance; property that may be inherited.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Inherited

(Biology) To receive (a characteristic) from a parent or ancestor by genetic transmission.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Heritage

A tradition; a practice or set of values that is passed down from preceding generations through families or through institutional memory.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Inherited

To gain (something) as one's right or portion
"A certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (King James Bible).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Heritage

A birthright; the status acquired by birth, especially of but not exclusive to the firstborn.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Inherited

To hold or take possession of an inheritance.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Heritage

(attributive) Having a certain background, such as growing up with a second language.
A heritage speaker; a heritage language
The university requires heritage Spanish students to enroll in a specially designed Spanish program not available to non-heritage students.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Inherited

Simple past tense and past participle of inherit
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Heritage

That which is inherited, or passes from heir to heir; inheritance.
Part of my heritage,Which my dead father did bequeath to me.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Inherited

Obtained via an inheritance
Inherited money
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Heritage

A possession; the Israelites, as God's chosen people; also, a flock under pastoral charge.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Inherited

Hereditary.
An inherited disease
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Heritage

Practices that are handed down from the past by tradition;
A heritage of freedom
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Inherited

Tending to occur among members of a family usually by heredity; as, an inherited disease.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Heritage

Any attribute or immaterial possession that is inherited from ancestors;
My only inheritance was my mother's blessing
The world's heritage of knowledge
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Inherited

Tending to occur among members of a family usually by heredity;
An inherited disease
Familial traits
Genetically transmitted features
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Heritage

That which is inherited; a title or property or estate that passes by law to the heir on the death of the owner
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Heritage

Hereditary succession to a title or an office or property
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023

Heritage

Intangible assets
The folk songs are part of our heritage.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

FAQs

Can heritage be tangible?

Yes, heritage can include tangible assets like buildings and artifacts.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Can heritage be individual?

Generally, heritage is considered collective but can have individual significance.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Can traits be inherited?

Yes, genetic traits can be inherited from parents.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

How is property inherited?

Property is often inherited through a legal will or by statutory rules.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023

Can skills be inherited?

Skills are generally learned, but predispositions can be inherited.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023

Is heritage always positive?

Heritage can have both positive and negative aspects.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023

What is usually inherited?

Property, wealth, and genetic traits are commonly inherited.
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023

Can heritage include food?

Yes, culinary traditions can be part of cultural heritage.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Is heritage only cultural?

No, heritage can also include historical, architectural, and intangible assets.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Is language part of heritage?

Yes, language is often considered an essential part of cultural heritage.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023

Can heritage change over time?

Yes, heritage can evolve as society changes.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023

How are genetic traits inherited?

Genetic traits are inherited through DNA from parents.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023

Can you inherit debts?

In some legal systems, debts can be inherited.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023

Can you refuse an inheritance?

Yes, an inheritance can generally be legally refused.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

What's the legal process to protect heritage?

Heritage sites are often protected by cultural or historical preservation laws.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma Saeed
Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.

Trending Comparisons

Popular Comparisons

New Comparisons