MEANING
1. To leave money, property, or possessions to someone through a will.
2. Figuratively, to pass on a legacy, including responsibilities or conflicts.
Use it for
Disputed wills, inherited objects, burdens passed through generations.Connect possession to a deliberate act by someone now absent.
Words that belong together
- bequeath a fortune
- bequeath to an heir
- bequeath a legacy
On the page
She bequeathed the house to a niece no one had met.
The will bequeaths the silver but says nothing about the paintings.
He felt his father had bequeathed him a quarrel as well as an estate.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- bequeath / bequeaths
- Past tense
- bequeathed
- Past participle
- bequeathed
- Present participle
- bequeathing
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- bequeath / bequeaths
- Present continuous
- am/is/are bequeathing
- Present perfect
- have/has bequeathed
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been bequeathing
- Past
- bequeathed
- Past continuous
- was/were bequeathing
- Past perfect
- had bequeathed
- Past perfect continuous
- had been bequeathing
- Future
- will bequeath / bequeaths
- Future continuous
- will be bequeathing
- Future perfect
- will have bequeathed
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been bequeathing
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
Usage notes
Primary category: gothic. The giver bequeaths and the recipient inherits. Technical legal distinctions may separate personal property from land. Verb: bequeath, bequeaths, bequeathed, bequeathed, bequeathing. Derived noun bequest.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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