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.