Word: Focus

Pronunciation

/ˈfoʊkəs/

Definitions

• Noun (n): The center of interest or activity; concentration on a particular point or matter. For example: “The focus of the meeting was the new marketing strategy.”
  • Photography/Lens: The point at which rays of light converge, or the point from which they appear to diverge when reflected or refracted, especially as represented by the focal point of a lens or mirror.
  • Mathematics: A fixed point toward which a curve or geometric shape tends to approach indefinitely.
• Verb (v): To concentrate one’s attention or energy on something specific. For instance: “She decided to focus her efforts on writing her novel.”
  • (of a camera, telescope, or other optical device): To adjust so that an image is clear and sharply defined.
  • Intransitive: To become concentrated or focused. E.g., “His thoughts began to focus after a few minutes of meditation.”

Phrases

• “Bring into focus”: To make something clearer or more understandable.
• “Lose focus”: To become distracted or unable to concentrate.
• “Put the focus on”: To emphasize or direct attention towards something.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The main focus of the research project is to understand climate change effects.”
• Verb: “He needs to focus his mind on the task at hand.”
• Optical: “Adjust the lens until the image comes into focus.”

Synonyms

• Noun: Center, core, emphasis, spotlight, concentration
• Verb: Concentrate, zero in, hone in, pay attention, aim, target, direct