Origin: Latin suffix -ate
Estate has 6 different meanings across 1 category:
everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
"After his sudden death, the family had to liquidate the entire estate to pay off his massive debts."
extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use
"the family owned a large estate on Long Island"
a major social class or order of persons regarded collectively as part of the body politic of the country (especially in the United Kingdom) and formerly possessing distinct political rights
"During the parliamentary debate on voting reforms, the speaker argued that the landed estate should retain its traditional influence over local governance."
The collective property and liabilities of someone, especially a deceased person.
"The lawyer spent months sorting through the late heir's extensive estate before finally distributing the assets to his family."
In plain English: An estate is all the money, property, and belongings that someone owns when they pass away.
"They decided to sell their large estate after living there for fifty years."
Usage: While estate often refers to a large house and grounds, its most common everyday meaning is any collection of land or buildings owned by an individual. Use this term generally to describe real property holdings rather than the legal assets left behind after death.
To give an estate to.
"The lawyer will draft a document that gives the entire family estate to his youngest daughter upon his passing."
"The lawyer will estate your assets after you pass away."
Usage: The verb "estate" is archaic and rarely used in modern English; instead of saying someone "estates" another with property, simply say they "bequeath," "wills," or "leave" it to them. Using "estate" as a verb in everyday conversation will likely confuse listeners who expect the noun meaning land or wealth.
Previously owned; secondhand.
"We found a perfectly good estate coat at the charity shop, but it still had some stains on the cuff."
"The estate sale included all the furniture from the house."
Usage: Use "estate" as an adjective only before nouns like "jewels," "goods," or "property" to indicate that items were previously owned by someone deceased and are now being sold. Do not use it to describe any general used item, such as a car or furniture, unless the context specifically involves a probate sale.
The word estate comes from the Latin status, which passed into English through Middle English and Old French. Originally meaning a standing or condition, it eventually evolved to refer to land held by someone in return for services.