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 app restores focus to the button after saving.
  • There is too much focus on short-term profit.
  • The telescope would not focus properly.
  • The debate focused attention on local schools.
  • The team's focus shifted after the injury.

Similar words

attend
clarity
site
origin
resolve
focused state
zero in
emphasize
distinctness
priority

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Similar words

input focus
active element
keyboard focus
focused state

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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