noun

focus

FOH-kuhs

noun

The main center of attention, activity, or interest.

"The focus of the meeting was next year's budget."

"Her focus shifted from painting to sculpture in her thirties."

The point at which light rays or an image converge to appear sharp, especially in photography or optics.

"The photo was slightly out of focus."

verb

To direct one's attention or effort toward something specific.

"She tried to focus on her homework despite the noise outside."

"The company decided to focus on its core products."

To adjust a lens or the eye so that an image appears sharp.

"He focused the camera before taking the shot."

How to Use Focus

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe main thing you're paying attention to, or making something (a lens, your attention) sharp and clear.

Memory tip

If you can't concentrate, people say you're "losing focus" or you need to "focus up."

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

focus on lose focus the focus of attention come into focus

Word Forms

focused past tense, focussed past tense, foci plural, focuses plural, focusses plural, focuses singular, focusses singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ of the meeting was next year's budget.

Etymology

Borrowed directly from Latin focus ("hearth, fireplace"). The astronomer Kepler introduced the scientific sense in the 1600s, using it for the points where light converges in an ellipse — the same idea a fireplace evokes as a gathering point.

Synonyms

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adhere align anchor apply attend base center centre concentrate direct engage fixate

Antonyms

defocus ignore dilute muddy

Related Words

abandon acid retreat bad listen mislead attend anchor

Rhymes for focus

hocus locus refocus

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adhere align anchor apply attend base center centre concentrate direct engage fixate