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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.
💡 Concept

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

The onus of choice: bonus or Venus guidance
🎵 Rhyme

The onus of choice: bonus or Venus guidance

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈoʊnəs/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈəʊnəs/

🌳Etymology

Rootonus

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

bonus
Venus

🔗Collocations

onus of proof
place the onus on
bear the onus
shift the onus
heavy onus

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“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.”

😄 Fun example

“Don't put the onus on me to remember your anniversary!”

“The onus of environmental protection falls on every citizen.”

📚Related Words

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