Legacy

Something handed down from an ancestor or from the past, such as money or property left in a will, or an enduring cultural, personal, or societal influence.

noun

💡

Imagine This

The runner who aces the race claims that he has inherited his ancestor's genes for strong leg muscles.

🔊

Sounds Like

LEG-uh-see

👀

Looks Like

LEG-ace (A’s - the best)

📝

Remember This

A legacy can be tangible (money, property) or intangible (values, traditions, reputation); the concept often involves long-lasting influence rather than a one-time gift.

📚

Other Forms

legaciesnoun

🔗

Connect With

inheritance, bequest, heritage, patrimony, tradition

📌

Note

Do not confuse legacy with inheritance (the actual assets received) or heritage (cultural background). A legacy is what is left behind—assets, ideas, or qualities that endure.

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Study Deeper

Examples

Her grandmother's legacy funded her college education.
The town preserves its architectural legacy for future generations.

Synonyms

bequestheritagepatrimonyendowmenttradition

Antonyms

forgetfulnesserasureloss of heritage

Etymology

From Old French legacie, from Latin legatia, ultimately from legāre 'to bequeath' or 'to appoint by will'.

Mnemonic

Leave Every Gift And Culture, You.

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Depose

verb

To remove someone from a throne or other high office, typically through political or legal action.

Homage

noun

Honor or tribute shown publicly or personally; respect paid to someone or something.

Tact

noun

The ability to deal with people and delicate situations in a sensitive, considerate, and diplomatic way; choosing words and actions carefully to avoid offense.

Similar Words

Related words and words with the same part of speech.

Abasement

noun

The act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.

Absurdity

noun

The quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.

Accent

noun

A distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).

Accolade

noun

An honor; a public expression of praise or an award.

Acrimony

noun

Bitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling

Acronym

noun

A word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).

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