burden
B2Formal/Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A heavy load that is difficult to carry, either literally or figuratively.
A responsibility, duty, or problem that causes worry, hardship, or difficulty; the main theme or gist of a speech, argument, or piece of writing.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
While the literal meaning of a physical load is still valid, it is far more commonly used in abstract contexts to denote responsibilities (e.g., financial burden, burden of proof) or emotional weight. In legal contexts, it specifically refers to the 'burden of proof'. In literary analysis, it can mean the central theme or refrain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. The legal term 'burden of proof' is identical. The spelling 'burdened'/'burdening' is consistent.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a strongly negative connotation of an unwelcome, oppressive weight.
Frequency
Equally common and used in identical contexts in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
burden [sb] with [sth]burden [sb/sth] (with [sth])[sth] is a burden on/to [sb/sth]the burden of [sth] (e.g., proof, debt)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A burden of one's own choice is not felt.”
- “burden of proof”
- “beast of burden”
- “the white man's burden”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to costs, taxes, regulations, or administrative tasks that reduce efficiency or profit, e.g., 'The new compliance rules place an undue burden on small businesses.'
Academic
Common in economics (tax burden), law (burden of proof), sociology (care burden), and literature (narrative burden).
Everyday
Used for personal responsibilities, emotional stress, or physical tasks, e.g., 'She didn't want to be a burden on her family.'
Technical
In engineering, can refer to structural load; in law, specifically 'burden of proof' (onus probandi).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new regulations will burden small enterprises with excessive paperwork.
- I don't wish to burden you with my troubles.
American English
- The new healthcare costs could burden middle-class families.
- She didn't want to burden her team with extra work before the holiday.
adverb
British English
- burdenedly (rare): He sighed burdenedly as he looked at the stack of bills.
American English
- burdensomely (rare): The rules were applied burdensomely, slowing progress.
adjective
British English
- burdened (adj): The burdened taxpayer finally saw some relief.
- burdensome (adj): The administrative process was overly burdensome.
American English
- burdened (adj): Burden-bearing employees need better support systems.
- burdensome (adj): The reporting requirements were deemed burdensome and unnecessary.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Carrying the shopping bags was a heavy burden for the old woman.
- He helped his friend with his burden.
- Paying for university is a big financial burden for many families.
- She felt the burden of organising the party all by herself.
- The government is looking for ways to ease the tax burden on low-income households.
- The burden of proof in a criminal case lies with the prosecution.
- The incumbent administration inherited the burden of a massive national debt.
- His research delves into the historical burden of colonialism on contemporary socio-political structures.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BURly DENtist trying to carry all his heavy equipment – it's a heavy BURDEN.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESPONSIBILITY/DIFFICULTY IS A HEAVY WEIGHT (e.g., 'weighed down by guilt', 'shouldering the burden', 'lighten the load').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'груз' for abstract responsibility; 'груз' is more physical. 'Бремя' is the closer abstract equivalent.
- Do not use 'burden' for a simple 'task' or 'job' (работа); it implies oppressive difficulty.
- The verb 'to burden' ('обременять') is less common than the noun; do not overuse it.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect article: 'He is burden' instead of 'He is a burden' or 'He is burdened'.
- Confusing with 'barden' or 'burdon' (misspelling).
- Using as a positive (e.g., 'a happy burden' is oxymoronic and rare).
Practice
Quiz
In a court of law, who typically bears the 'burden of proof' in a criminal case?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Extremely rarely. By definition, it implies a difficult or oppressive load. A phrase like 'a burden of love' is poetic and paradoxical, not standard.
'Responsibility' is neutral, denoting a duty one is accountable for. 'Burden' adds a layer of negativity, implying that the responsibility is experienced as heavy, unwelcome, or difficult.
Yes, but it is now somewhat literary or historical. It refers to an animal, like an ox or donkey, used for carrying loads.
It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. In casual speech, people might use simpler words like 'load' or 'problem', but 'burden' is perfectly natural in everyday conversation when emphasising weight or difficulty.