• Today's Word

Onus

🔊 Listen to the word Onus

OH-nuhs

Definition

(noun) A burden, duty, or responsibility—especially one that is difficult or unwelcome.

Example

The onus of proving the theory fell on the scientists who proposed it.

Word Origin

From Latin onus, meaning “load” or “burden.”

Fun Fact

The word onus often appears in legal and ethical discussions, as in the onus of proof—the responsibility to demonstrate a claim’s validity. But beyond the courtroom, it reflects the subtle pressure of expectation we carry in everyday life. Linguists point out that onus has remained almost unchanged for centuries, perhaps because the feeling it describes—weight without visibility—hasn’t changed either. Whether it’s duty, guilt, or accountability, onus names that quiet gravity we all recognize.