Definition of ONUS

onus

Plural: onera, onuses

Noun

  • A burden, obligation, or responsibility.
  • an onerous or difficult concern
  • A legal obligation.
  • Burden of proof, onus probandi.
  • Stigma.
  • Blame.
  • Responsibility; burden.

Examples

  • The onus is on the landlord to make sure the walls are protected from mildew.
  • The onus is on those who disagree with my proposal to explain why.
  • The onus was on him to find a high-scoring word to catch up.

Origin / Etymology

Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₃enh₂-
Proto-Indo-European *-os
Proto-Indo-European *h₃énh₂os
Proto-Italic *onos
Latin onuslbor.
English onus
Learned borrowing from Latin onus (literally “burden”).

Scrabble Score: 4

onus: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
onus: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
onus: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 6

onus: valid Words With Friends Word