onus

Summary

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day – “Onus”

Episode Date: May 24, 2026
Host: Peter Sokolowski
Episode Theme:
A deep dive into the meaning, usage, and origins of the word “onus.”

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Main Theme

In this episode, Peter Sokolowski explores “onus,” a formal noun used to describe a responsibility, obligation, or burden. The episode highlights the word’s definition, usage, Latin roots, and relationship to other English words.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition and Proper Usage (00:42)

• Onus (noun): A formal word that typically refers to a responsibility, obligation, or burden.
• It is usually preceded by “the” (“the onus”).

2. Example Usage in Context (00:57)

• The episode provides a real-world example from The Guardian:
  • “The London Book Fair comes the week before the government is due to deliver its progress report on AI and copyright, after proposals for a relaxation of existing laws caused outrage last year. Philippa Gregory, the novelist, described the plans for an opt out policy which puts the onus on writers to refuse permission for their work to be trawled as akin to putting a sign on your front door asking burglars to pass by.”
  • This illustrates how “onus” means the responsibility — in this context, the burden placed on writers to proactively refuse permission.

3. Etymology and Linguistic Roots (01:45)

• Onus is directly borrowed from Latin, retaining meaning and spelling.
• It is distantly related to the Sanskrit word anas, meaning ‘cart’ or a vehicle that carries a burden.
• English has few words derived from “onus,” but a notable one is onerous, meaning something difficult or unpleasant to deal with.

4. Expanding on Connotations (02:08)

• The term is closely associated with obligations perceived as “annoying, taxing, disagreeable, or distasteful.”
• Thus, “onus” is not just any responsibility, but one that carries the weight or sense of being a burden.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Peter Sokolowski (00:42):
  “Onus is a noun. It's a formal word typically used to refer to a responsibility, obligation or burden.”
• On word origins (01:45):
  “Understanding the etymology of the word onus shouldn't be a burden.”
• Describing broader usage (02:08):
  “In addition to being synonymous with burden, onus has also long been used to refer to obligations and responsibilities that one may find annoying, taxing, disagreeable or distasteful.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:42 — Definition and spelling of “onus”
• 00:57 — Example sentence from The Guardian; real-world usage
• 01:45 — Etymology and relation to other words
• 02:08 — How “onus” is used to convey unpleasant or unwanted responsibilities

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Language & Tone

The episode is informative and concise, delivered in Peter Sokolowski’s clear, engaging, and slightly playful tone (e.g., “...shouldn’t be a burden”).

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Transcript

[A]

Foreign. It's Merriam Webster's Word of the Day for May 24th.

[B]

Not every sale happens at the register. Before AT&T business Wireless checking out customers on our mobile POS systems took too long. Basically a staring contest where everyone loses. It's crazy what people will say during an awkward silence. Now transactions are done before the silence takes hold. That means I can focus on the task at hand and make an extra sale or two. Sometimes I do miss the bonding time. Sometimes

[C]

AT&T business Wireless connecting changes everything

[A]

Today's word is onus. Spelled O N u S. Onus is a noun. It's a formal word typically used to refer to a responsibility, obligation or burden. It's usually preceded by the word the. Here's the word used in a sentence from the Guardian the London Book Fair comes the week before the government is due to deliver its progress report on AI and copyright, after proposals for a relaxation of existing laws caused outrage last year. Philippa Gregory, the novelist, described the plans for an opt out policy which puts the onus on writers to refuse permission for their work to be trawled as an akin to putting a sign on your front door asking burglars to pass by. Understanding the etymology of the word onus shouldn't be a burden. It's as simple as knowing that English borrowed the word spelling, meaning and all from Latin in the 17th century. Onus is also a distant relative of the Sanskrit word anas, meaning cart, as in a wheeled wagon or vehicle that carries a burden. English isn't exactly loaded with words that come from the Latin onus, but onerous, meaning difficult and unpleasant to do or deal with, is one which is fitting, since in addition to being synonymous with burden, onus has also long been used to refer to obligations and responsibilities that one may find annoying, taxing, disagreeable or distasteful. With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski.

[D]

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