focus

¹fo·cus

noun \ˈfō-kəs\

plural fo·ci \ˈfō-ˌsī also -ˌkī\ also fo·cus·es

Definition of FOCUS

1

a : a point at which rays (as of light, heat, or sound) converge or from which they diverge or appear to diverge; specifically : the point where the geometrical lines or their prolongations conforming to the rays diverging from or converging toward another point intersect and give rise to an image after reflection by a mirror or refraction by a lens or optical system

b : a point of convergence of a beam of particles (as electrons)

2

a : focal length

b : adjustment for distinct vision; also : the area that may be seen distinctly or resolved into a clear image

c : a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding <tried to bring the issues into focus>

d : direction 6c <the team lost focus>

3

: one of the fixed points that with the corresponding directrix defines a conic section

4

: a localized area of disease or the chief site of a generalized disease or infection

5

a : a center of activity, attraction, or attention <the focus of the meeting was drug abuse>

b : a point of concentration

6

: the place of origin of an earthquake or moonquake

7

: directed attention : emphasis

— fo·cus·less \-ləs\ adjective

— in focus

: having or giving the proper sharpness of outline due to good focusing

— out of focus

: not in focus

Examples of FOCUS

1. He's successful, but he feels that his life lacks focus.
2. His life lacks a focus.

Origin of FOCUS

New Latin, from Latin, hearth

First Known Use: 1644

Related to FOCUS

Synonyms

axis, base, capital, central, core, cynosure, epicenter, eye, center, ground zero, heart, hub, locus, mecca, navel, nerve center, nexus, nucleus, omphalos, seat

Related Words

headquarters; happy hunting ground, hive, hotbed, hot spot, playground, playland; kernel, nub, pith; deep, thick; essence, quintessence, soul; attraction, lodestone (also loadstone), magnet, polestar

Other Pictures (on film) Terms

daguerreotype, emulsion, fill, sepia, still, stop

Rhymes with FOCUS

crocus, hocus, locus

²focus

verb

fo·cused also fo·cussedfo·cus·ing also fo·cus·sing

Definition of FOCUS

transitive verb

1

a : to bring into focus

b : to adjust the focus of (as the eye or a lens)

2

: to cause to be concentrated <focused their attention on the most urgent problems>

3

: to bring (as light rays) to a focus : concentrate

intransitive verb

1

: to come to a focus : converge

2

: to adjust one's eye or a camera to a particular range

3

: to concentrate attention or effort

— fo·cus·able \-kə-sə-bəl\ adjective

— fo·cus·er noun

Examples of FOCUS

1. She has an amazing ability to focus for hours at a time.
2. I wasn't able to focus the camera.
3. I wasn't able to get the camera to focus.

First Known Use of FOCUS

1775

Related to FOCUS

Synonyms

center, fasten, concentrate, rivet, train

Related Words

aim, direct, home (in on), hone in (on), level, nail, point, set, zero (in on); attend, heed, mind; fixate (on), obsess (over); refocus