ENGLISH
REFERENCE

successor

n. countable
C1 Advanced Oxford US //səkˈsɛsɝ// UK //səksˈɛsɐ// suc·ces·sor Academic

n. a person who takes over a job, title, or position after someone else leaves. You use this when talking about who is next in line for a role.

n. a person or thing that succeeds another in a position, office, or role. Often used in corporate, political, or historical contexts to describe the inheritance of power or responsibility.


SIMPLE

The board of directors is looking for a successor to the CEO.

CONTEXTUAL

After thirty years of leadership, the prime minister finally named a younger cabinet member as his chosen successor.

COMPLEX

The peaceful transition of power depends entirely on the legitimacy of the designated successor and their ability to maintain the loyalty of the existing administration.

Synonyms
Origin

From Anglo-Norman successour, from Latin successor.

Usage

Typically followed by the preposition 'to' when identifying the previous holder of the position.

Pitfall

the successor of the kingthe successor to the kingWhile 'of' is sometimes used, 'to' is the standard preposition for indicating the role or person being followed.

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