Meaning & Definition of word "Onerous"

Onerous

/ˈəʊn.ər.əs/

adjective:

  • 1. Burdensome; involving a great deal of effort, difficulty, or expense.
    • Example: The contract contained onerous terms that made it difficult for the company to comply.
  • 2. Oppressive or burdensome to bear.
    • Example: They found the legal requirements to be onerous and time-consuming.
  • 3. Taxing or demanding on one’s resources or capabilities.
    • Example: The onerous workload led many employees to seek a better work-life balance.

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin 'onerōsus', from 'onus' meaning 'burden'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

onerous duties:

tasks that are hard and taxing to perform.

onerous obligations:

responsibilities that are heavy and difficult to fulfill.

Related Words

burden:

a heavy load or responsibility.

obligation:

a duty or commitment.

Slang Meanings of onerous

Meaning: A pain in the neck.

Example Sentence: Doing my taxes this year was such an onerous pain in the neck.

Meaning: A big hassle.

Example Sentence: Getting the paperwork done was an onerous hassle.