onus — the responsibility or burden of proving something or taking action
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the responsibility or burden of proving something or taking action
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈoʊnəs/
Example Sentences
- The onus is on you to explain why there's a pizza box under your bed.
- In court, the onus lies with the prosecution to prove guilt.
- Don't put the onus on me to remember your anniversary!
onus
NOUN[/ˈoʊnəs/]
the responsibility or burden of proving something or taking action

The onus of saving the project fell entirely on the new manager.

The onus of choice: bonus or Venus guidance
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin onus, meaning 'burden' or 'load'. Originally used in ancient Rome to describe physical burdens carried by slaves and laborers, the term evolved to denote abstract responsibilities, particularly in legal and philosophical contexts.
Breakdown
onus: Latin root meaning 'burden' or 'load'. The word remains morphologically indivisible in English, serving as a standalone noun derived directly from its Latin source.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The onus is on you to explain why there's a pizza box under your bed.”
“In court, the onus lies with the prosecution to prove guilt.”
“Don't put the onus on me to remember your anniversary!”
“The onus of environmental protection falls on every citizen.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.