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focus Definition

fo·cus (kəs)

noun pl. fo·cuses or foci′-sī′

  1. the point where rays of light, heat, etc. or waves of sound come together, or from which they spread or seem to spread; specif., the point where rays of light reflected by a mirror or refracted by a lens meet (called real focus) or the point where they would meet if prolonged backward through the lens or mirror (called virtual focus)
  2. focal length
  3. an adjustment of the focal length to make a clear image to bring a camera into focus
  4. any center of activity, attention, etc.
  5. a part of the body where a disease process, as an infection, tumor, etc., is localized or most active
  6. the starting point of an earthquake
  7. Math.
    1. either of the two fixed points used in determining an ellipse
    2. any analogous point for a parabola or hyperbola

Etymology: ModL, adopted in math. senses by Johannes Kepler (1604) < L, fireplace, hearth < ? IE base *bhok-, to flame, burn > ? Arm bo, flame

transitive verb -·cused or -·cussed, -·cus·ing or -·cus·sing

  1. to bring into focus
  2. to adjust the focal length of (the eye, a lens, etc.) in order to produce a clear image
  3. to fix or settle on one thing; concentrate to focus one's attention on a question

intransitive verb

  1. to meet at a focus
  2. to adjust one's eye or a lens so as to make a clear image
  3. to direct one's thoughts or efforts; concentrate

focus Related Forms
fo·cuser noun
focus Idioms

in focus

clear; distinct; sharply defined

out of focus

indistinct; blurred

focus Synonyms

focus

n.

focal point, locus, point of convergence, center of attention; see center 1.

in focus

distinct, clear, sharply defined; see definite 2.

out of focus

indistinct, unclear, blurred; see obscure 1.

focus Synonyms

focus

v.

  1. To draw toward a center

    converge, direct, fix on, zero in on; see center, concentrate 1, 2.

  2. To make an image clear

    adjust, bring into focus, bring out, get detail; see sharpen 2.

focus Usage Examples

Object

  • attention: Abraham did not want to focus attention on the ram.

Preposition: on

  • aspect: This response focuses on this particular aspect of our members ' business.
  • issue: Our comments will focus on these main issues of concern.
  • theme: The course content has its focus on popular gardening themes.
  • area: The Treasury is focussing on three areas to help people on low incomes.

Subject

  • cornea: Cone cells are concentrated in the center of our retina where the light is focused by the cornea and lens.

Converse of object

  • become: These can then become the foci of the ensuing paragraphs.
  • provide: The commander provides the focus to prioritize these IO assets.

Adjective modifier

  • sharp: I confess that I should like to have these basic concepts in sharper focus!
  • main: She said the main focus of our work should be Respect.
  • particular: A really great weblog with a particular focus on London life.
  • strong: With her strong customer focus, Alison led her already successful team at Wycombe to new heights.
  • narrow: Cultural theories of translation go beyond a narrow focus on language and examine the interaction between translation and the wider historical and socio-cultural context.
  • prime: Models and modeling process will be a prime focus.

Modifies a noun

  • group: Design: Qualitative focus group study consisting of 11 focus groups with 67 participants.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • on: FOCUS ON INDIA Welcome to all our Indian collaborators who have joined recently.

Preposition: of

  • attention: The K-theory of the modular group is also a current focus of attention.

Noun used with modifier

  • auto: Other focusing options include manual focusing, auto focusing lock, focus bracketing and an auto focus assist beam for lowlight photography.
  • customer: With her strong customer focus, Alison led her already successful team at Wycombe to new heights.

Preposition: by

  • cornea: Cone cells are concentrated in the center of our retina where the light is focused by the cornea and lens.
focus Quotes

Johnny, keep it out of focus. I want to win the foreign picture award.

—Wilder, Billy (Samuel)

Browse dictionary entries near focus

  1. Foch
  2. focalize
  3. focal point
  4. focal length
  5. focal infection
  6. focal
  7. focaccia
  8. fob
  9. foamy
  10. foamflower
  1. focus group
  2. FOD
  3. fodder
  4. foe
  5. foehn
  6. foeman
  7. foeti-
  8. foetid
  9. foetus
  10. fog