focus

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/ˈfoʊkəs/
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Concentrated attention, clear perception, and the technical point or state where energy, vision, or input is gathered.
Practice using focus in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • The speech brought the issue into focus.
  • We need to focus our efforts on the launch.
  • The camera lost focus during the shot.
  • Her face was soft, but her eyes were in sharp focus.
  • The rays meet at the focus of the lens.

Similar words

definition
clarity
center
subject
prioritize
resolution
sharpness
active element
focused state
emphasize

Meanings

Direct attention or effort

verb
everyday
neutral
To give attention, effort, discussion, or resources to one thing instead of letting them spread across many things.

Usage

Use focus with on for the object of attention, and use a direct object when something is being aimed or organized around that point.

Examples

  • She focuses on one task at a time.
  • The article focuses on the housing crisis.
  • We need to focus our efforts on the launch.
  • The coach focused the team on defense.
  • After the interruption, he struggled to focus.
  • The debate focused attention on local schools.
  • Meditation helped her focus her thoughts.

Common mistakes

The third-person form needs -es, and the object normally follows on.
IncorrectCorrect
She focus on the deadline. She focuses on the deadline.
The report focuses the budget. The report focuses on the budget.
We need to focus to customer complaints. We need to focus on customer complaints.
The manager focused the team in sales. The manager focused the team on sales.

Similar words

concentrate
attend
target
center
emphasize
prioritize
zero in

Attention or main concern

noun
everyday
neutral
The attention given to something, the ability to keep that attention, or the person or thing at the center of interest.

Usage

Use focus for either concentrated attention or the central subject receiving it, with context making the direction clear.

Examples

  • The focus of the meeting was safety.
  • He lost focus near the end of the exam.
  • The child became the focus of the investigation.
  • The team's focus shifted after the injury.
  • There is too much focus on short-term profit.
  • The speech brought the issue into focus.
  • Her main focus is affordable housing.

Common mistakes

Focuses is the usual plural, while foci is more formal and technical.
IncorrectCorrect
The focus of the meetings were safety. The focus of the meetings was safety.
He lost his focuses during the exam. He lost his focus during the exam.
The company has three focus this year. The company has three focuses this year.
Her focus to detail impressed everyone. Her attention to detail impressed everyone.

Similar words

center
emphasis
priority
attention
concentration
core
subject
spotlight

Adjust vision or rays

verb
science
neutral
To adjust eyes, a lens, or an instrument so that an image becomes clear, or to make light, sound, or other waves meet at a point.

Usage

Use focus for cameras, eyes, lenses, and waves when clarity or convergence is being adjusted.

Examples

  • She focused the camera on the bird.
  • His eyes slowly focused in the dark.
  • The lens focuses light on the sensor.
  • The telescope would not focus properly.
  • The mirror focused the sunlight into a bright spot.
  • The ultrasound probe focused sound waves on the tissue.
  • Turn the ring until the image focuses.

Common mistakes

Focus takes the instrument or rays as its object, not the clear image itself.
IncorrectCorrect
I focused the photo sharper. I focused the camera to make the photo sharper.
The lens focused to the retina. The lens focused light on the retina.
My eyes focused the small print. My eyes focused on the small print.
The microscope focused the cell. The microscope focused on the cell.

Similar words

adjust
sharpen
concentrate
aim
align
resolve

Clear visual state

noun
visual
neutral
The state in which an image, view, or idea is sharp enough to be seen or understood clearly.

Usage

Use focus in phrases such as in focus, out of focus, and bring into focus for visual or mental clarity.

Examples

  • The portrait is perfectly in focus.
  • The background fell out of focus.
  • Adjust the lens until the text comes into focus.
  • The microscope's focus needs fine tuning.
  • The new evidence brought the timeline into focus.
  • Her face was soft, but her eyes were in sharp focus.
  • The camera lost focus during the shot.

Common mistakes

In focus is the fixed phrase for clear images.
IncorrectCorrect
The picture is focus. The picture is in focus.
The photo is on focus. The photo is in focus.
The background is out focus. The background is out of focus.
This explanation put the problem on focus. This explanation brought the problem into focus.

Similar words

clarity
sharpness
definition
resolution
distinctness

Technical point or site

noun
science
technical
A precise point or localized site where rays meet, a curve is defined, an earthquake begins, or a disease process is concentrated.

Usage

Use focus in technical contexts for a defined point, origin, or localized site, and choose focal point, hypocenter, or lesion when the field requires a narrower term.

Examples

  • The rays meet at the focus of the lens.
  • An ellipse has two foci.
  • The earthquake's focus lay ten kilometers below the surface.
  • Doctors found a small infectious focus in the lung.
  • The mirror's focus fell just behind the sensor.
  • The diagram marks each focus of the hyperbola.
  • Seismic waves spread outward from the focus.

Common mistakes

Focus and epicenter are not the same in earthquakes.
IncorrectCorrect
The focus is the point on the surface above the earthquake. The epicenter is the point on the surface above the earthquake.
An ellipse has one focus. An ellipse has two foci.
The disease focus means the patient's attention. The disease focus means the localized site of disease.
The rays meet at the focal length. The rays meet at the focus.

Similar words

focal point
convergence point
origin
site
hypocenter
center

Active input element

noun
technology
technical
The state of the user interface element that is currently ready to receive keyboard input or commands.

Usage

Use focus for the active element in an interface, especially when describing keyboard navigation, focus rings, and accessibility.

Examples

  • The search box has focus, so typing starts there.
  • Press Tab to move focus to the next link.
  • A visible focus ring helps keyboard navigation.
  • The modal should trap focus until it closes.
  • The app restores focus to the button after saving.
  • Keyboard shortcuts affect the element with focus.
  • The browser moves focus into the address bar.

Common mistakes

Focus is the active input state, not the selected text or the visible cursor alone.
IncorrectCorrect
The selected paragraph has focus because it is highlighted. The text field has focus because it receives keyboard input.
Remove focus outlines so the page looks cleaner. Keep visible focus outlines for keyboard navigation.
The button is focus. The button has focus.
Focus and hover are the same state. Focus and hover are different interface states.

Similar words

input focus
active element
keyboard focus
focused state

Usage

Use focus for attention and central concern first, then for lens clarity, convergence points, technical sites, and keyboard input states where the context calls for them.

Common mistakes

She focus drops the required third-person -es, and in focus is the fixed phrase for a clear image.

Etymology

From Latin focus, meaning hearth or fireplace. Scientific Latin used it for the point where light rays converge, and English later extended it to centers of activity, attention, and clarity.

FAQ

What does focus mean most often?

Focus most often means concentrated attention or the main thing receiving that attention.

Is focus a noun or a verb?

Focus is both a noun and a verb, with uses for attention, clear vision, technical points, and interface input.

What is the plural of focus?

The usual plural is focuses. Foci is common in formal, scientific, and mathematical contexts.

What does in focus mean?

In focus means clear and sharply visible, especially in photography, film, microscopy, or eyesight.

What is a focus in optics?

In optics, a focus is the point where rays meet after passing through a lens or reflecting from a mirror.

What is an earthquake focus?

An earthquake focus is the point below the surface where the rupture begins. The epicenter is above it on the surface.

What does focus mean in a user interface?

In a user interface, focus is the state of the element that currently receives keyboard input or commands.

Where does focus come from?

Focus comes from Latin focus, meaning hearth or fireplace, before developing its scientific and figurative senses.

What is a common mistake with focus?

A common mistake is writing she focus instead of she focuses, or writing on focus instead of in focus.

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