focus (ˈfəʊkəs
)
Definitions
noun
- a point of convergence of light or other electromagnetic radiation, particles, sound waves, etc, or a point from which they appear to diverge
- another name for focal point (sense 1) , focal length
- optics the state of an optical image when it is distinct and clearly defined or the state of an instrument producing this image ⇒
the picture is in focus
the telescope is out of focus
- a point upon which attention, activity, etc, is directed or concentrated
- geometry a fixed reference point on the concave side of a conic section, used when defining its eccentricity
- the point beneath the earth's surface at which an earthquake or underground nuclear explosion originates Compare epicentre
- pathology the main site of an infection or a localized region of diseased tissue
verb
- to bring or come to a focus or into focus
- (tr) on to fix attention (on); concentrate
Alternative Forms
ˈfocusable adjective ˈfocuser nounWord Origin
C17: via New Latin from Latin: hearth, fireplaceSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
centre,
focal point,
central point
core,
bull's eye centre of attraction centre of activity
cynosure,
=
subject,
point,
question,
issue,
matter,
object,
theme,
substance,
topic,
subject matter,
field of inquiry or reference
Translations
- British English:
focus
The focus of something is the main topic or main thing that it is concerned with.The new system is the focus of much criticism.ˈfəʊkəs NOUN The new system is the focus of much criticism.
- Spanish:
bombilla
nf
- French:
centre
nm
- German:
Brennpunkt
nm
- Chinese: 焦点 n
- Arabic: مَرْكَز n
- Portuguese: foco nm
- Russian: фокус nm
- Croatian: fokus nm
- Czech: ohnisko nnt
- Danish: fokus nnt
- Dutch: aandacht n
- Finnish: polttopiste n
- Greek: εστία nf
- Italian: attenzione nf
- Japanese: 焦点 n
- Korean: 초점 n
- Norwegian: fokus nnt
- Polish: ognisko nnt
- Brazilian Portuguese: foco nm
- European Spanish:
foco
nm
- Swedish: fokus n
- Thai: จุดเน้น n
- Turkish: odak n
- Vietnamese: trọng tâm n
- British English:
focus
If you focus on a particular topic, or if your attention is focusedon it, you concentrate on it and deal with it.Today he focused on the economy. Many of the papers focus their attention on the president.ˈfəʊkəs VERB Today he focused on the economy. Many of the papers focus their attention on the president.
- Spanish:
enfocar
v
- French:
se concentrer
vi
- German: konzentrieren (sich) v
- Chinese: 集中 v
- Arabic: يُرَكِّزُ v
- Portuguese: focar v
- Russian: фокусировать(ся) v
- Croatian: usredsrediti se v
- Czech: zaostřit v ostřit
- Danish: fokusere v
- Dutch: aandacht hebben voor v
- Finnish: kohdistaa v
- Greek: εστιάζω v
- Italian: concentrarsi v
- Japanese: 焦点を合わせる v
- Korean: 초점을 맞추다 v
- Norwegian: fokusere v
- Polish: skupić v skupiać
- Brazilian Portuguese: focar v
- European Spanish:
enfocar
v
- Swedish: fokusera v
- Thai: มุ่งเน้น v
- Turkish: odaklanmak v
- Vietnamese: chú trọng v
Usage examples
The ancient monster could be just a blind, a focus for gossip, a distraction for thieves.
, THE GREENSTONE GRAIL: The Sangreal Trilogy One (2004)North The York/ Ascot connection is likely to focus attention on the area around York and may drive up asking prices.
Country Life (2005)Nevertheless, Florida Pearl will again receive the main share of the pre-race focus.
Irish Times (2002)The toll controversy continues to surface regularly but the bridge has been the focus for more tragic and dramatic events.
Glasgow Herald (2001)The key to success is to focus on your own special qualities.
, YOUR POCKET LIFE COACH: 10 minutes a day to transform your life and your work (2001)