How to pronounce onus
Say it like OH-nus. Onus has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce onus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- nus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Onus pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- nusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of onus
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: OH-nus.
What does onus mean?
- A legal obligation.“The onus is on the landlord to make sure the walls are protected from mildew.”
- Burden of proof, onus probandi.
- Stigma.
Where does onus come from?
Learned borrowing from Latin onus (literally “burden”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with onus
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of onus.
Questions about saying onus
How do you pronounce onus?
Say OH-nus. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊnəs/. In British English it is /ˈəʊnəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in onus?
Onus has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · nus.
Is onus pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈəʊnəs/ (OH-nus).