2 syllables: O, nus. Stress on O.
OH-nuhs
/ˈoʊnəs/
Onus is pronounced OH-nuhs (/ˈoʊnəs/). It has two syllables (O-nus), with the stress on "O". Onus is a formal noun meaning a burden or responsibility placed on someone. It often appears in legislative or ethical contexts to denote duty or obligation, sometimes carried by an individual or organization. The term emphasizes accountability rather than mere task, and is commonly paired with phrases like “bear the onus” or “shift the onus.”.
nounOnus is a formal noun meaning a burden or responsibility placed on someone. It often appears in legislative or ethical contexts to denote duty or obligation, sometimes carried by an individual or organization. The term emphasizes accountability rather than mere task, and is commonly paired with phrases like “bear the onus” or “shift the onus.”
"The company took on the onus of ensuring product safety."
"Residents argued that the onus should fall on the developers to mitigate noise."
"The court rejected the claim and placed the onus on the plaintiff to prove damages."
Onus is pronounced as /ˈoʊ.nəs/ in US English and /ˈəʊ.nəs/ in UK and Australian English. The stress is on the first syllable: O-us, with a long O as in 'go' and a short, schwa-like second syllable. Start with an open-mid back vowel, then quickly reduce to a relaxed final syllable. Visualize: OH-nuhs. You can listen to examples on Pronounce or Forvo to confirm the /ˈoʊ/ vs /ˈəʊ/ vowel quality.
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress (often saying o-NUS) and mispronouncing the first vowel as a short /ɒ/ or /ɑ/. To correct: keep primary stress on the first syllable with /ˈoʊ/ or /ˈəʊ/ and end with a light, unstressed /nəs/, ensuring the final /s/ is not devoiced. Practice by repeating OH-nuhs in a rhythm that emphasizes the first beat. Listen to native models on pronunciation platforms to lock in the cadence.
In US English, /ˈoʊ.nəs/ with a clear long O and a schwa-like second syllable is typical. UK/AU accents often render the first syllable as /ˈəʊ/ (a deeper, rounded vowel) while keeping the /nəs/. US rhoticity is relevant if the following consonant includes an R, but onus itself remains non-rhotic in standard RP-like speech. Overall, you’ll hear similar syllable timing, but the vowel quality of the first syllable shifts slightly between /oʊ/ and /əʊ/ depending on regional vowel inventories.
The challenge lies in the two-syllable rhythm and the length of the first vowel, which can be reduced or stretched depending on the speaker. The first syllable carries primary stress and uses a tense, floating /oʊ/ (or /əʊ/), while the second syllable ends with a clipped /əs/. Beginners may overemphasize the second syllable or misplace the stress, leading to ON-us or o-NUS. Focus on steady airflow and a clean /n/ before a soft /əs/.”
In fast speech, the /ˈoʊ/ or /ˈəʊ/ can be slightly reduced toward a quick /oʊ/ or even a near-diphthong, with the second syllable compressed. The final /s/ should remain voiceless, but you may hear a faint assimilation where the /n/ blends with the following consonant, reducing tactfully to /nəs/. Practicing with connected speech helps: OH-nəs becomes smoothly linked with neighboring words, maintaining stress on the first syllable while keeping clarity.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Onus"!
Onus entered English via Latin from the word onus meaning burden or load. The Latin term onus derives from the neuter form onus, related to oner- meaning heavy, burdened, or load-bearing elements in Latin. Early English adoption appears in ecclesiastical and legal contexts where “onus” conveyed the burden or responsibility to be borne by a party. Over time, the usage broadened from physical weight to abstract duties, obligations, and moral accountability. By the 16th–17th centuries, onus had become a common noun in legal and political discourse, especially in phrases like “on the onus” or “the onus lies.” In modern usage, it is frequently paired with verbs like bear, shift, or shoulder to signify the allocation of responsibility within a dispute, policy, or decision-making process. The word maintains a formal register and is often used in written argumentation, policy debates, and formal rhetoric. Its pronunciation remains constant across dialects, though surrounding stress and intonation may affect perceived emphasis in speech.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Onus" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Onus" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Onus" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Onus"
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
