Focus meaning

What does “focus” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“focus” is a noun and verb with 12 meanings. Its most common meaning is: the concentration of attention or energy on something.

focus

the concentration of attention or energy on something
“the focus of activity shifted to molecular biology”
“he had no direction in his life”
Synonymsfocusing focussing focal point direction centering
maximum clarity or distinctness of an image rendered by an optical system
“in focus”
“out of focus”
maximum clarity or distinctness of an idea
“the controversy brought clearly into focus an important difference of opinion”
a central point or locus of an infection in an organism
“the focus of infection”
Synonymsfocal point nidus
special emphasis attached to something
“the stress was more on accuracy than on speed”
Synonymsstress
a point of convergence of light (or other radiation) or a point from which it diverges
Synonymsfocal point
a fixed reference point on the concave side of a conic section

direct one's attention on something
“Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies”
Synonymsconcentrate center centre pore rivet
cause to converge on or toward a central point
“Focus the light on this image”
Oppositesblur
bring into focus or alignment; to converge or cause to converge; of ideas or emotions
Synonymsconcenter concentre focalize focalise
become focussed or come into focus
“The light focused”
Synonymsfocalize focalise
Oppositesblur
put (an image) into focus
“Please focus the image; we cannot enjoy the movie”
Synonymsfocalize focalise sharpen
Oppositesblur

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University