focus
/ˈfəʊ.kəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfoʊ.kəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfō-kəs/ (ame, mw) · /ˈfəʊkəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfəʊkəs/ (ame, ipa)
focus — noun
- focussingular
- fociplural
1. the person, thing, or topic that receives the most attention in a particular act
the person, thing, or topic that receives the most attention in a particular activity, discussion, or situation
The focus of the meeting was the new plan for the school library.
the focus of [something] — identifying the main topic
Shanti's report brought the problem of plastic waste into focus for the whole community.
bring [something] into focus — making something clearer or more noticeable
After the earthquake, the focus of attention shifted to helping the injured families.
Rachel shifted the focus of her speech from local issues to global climate change.
The company's main focus this year is improving customer service.
- periphery
the outer edge, opposite of the central focus
文法句型
the focus of [something]
become/bring into focus
用法筆記
Often appears in the fixed phrase 'the focus of something' to identify the central element in a discussion, event, or activity.
常見錯誤
2. the ability to direct your mental effort towards a particular task, thought, or
the ability to direct your mental effort towards a particular task, thought, or activity without being distracted
The noise from the street made it hard for Kenji to keep his focus on his homework.
keep/lose your focus — maintaining or losing concentration
Adaeze's focus never wavered during the three-hour final exam.
Taking short breaks every hour can actually improve your focus at work.
The company needs to bring its focus back to what customers really want.
Sophia lost her focus when she started checking messages on her phone.
- concentration
nearly interchangeable; 'concentration' slightly more formal
- attention
broader — can be brief; 'focus' implies sustained effort
- attentiveness
more formal and less common in everyday speech
- distraction
the thing that breaks focus
- inattention
lack of focus or care
文法句型
keep/lose your focus
focus on [something]
用法筆記
Common with verbs like 'keep', 'lose', 'lack', 'bring back', and 'shift'. Unlike 'attention', 'focus' emphasises sustained, directed mental energy rather than momentary notice.
常見錯誤
3. in physics, the single location where waves such as light, sound, or heat energy
in physics, the single location where waves such as light, sound, or heat energy converge after being directed by a lens or a curved surface
A convex lens brings parallel light rays together at a single point called the focus.
scientific description of the focus point
The focus of a magnifying glass is where the sun's rays meet and can start a fire.
In a concave mirror, the focus lies in front of the reflective surface.
Ziad adjusted the telescope so the stars appeared sharp at the focus of the main lens.
- focal point
more precise technical term for the exact convergence point
- point of convergence
descriptive, used in scientific explanations
文法句型
bring [something] into focus
at the focus of
用法筆記
Mostly used in physics and optics. In everyday language, the figurative senses (MAIN POINT or ATTENTION) are far more common.
常見錯誤
4. the state of being clear and sharp in a photograph, video, or image — or the opp
the state of being clear and sharp in a photograph, video, or image — or the opposite when the image appears blurry
The background is slightly out of focus, but the bride's face is perfectly clear.
in focus / out of focus — describing image clarity
Gabriel turned the ring on the camera lens to adjust the focus before taking the shot.
The photo was blurry because the camera's focus was set on the wrong object in the frame.
Modern smartphones can keep a moving subject in focus automatically.
- blur
the lack of sharpness when focus is wrong
文法句型
in focus / out of focus
adjust the focus
用法筆記
Typically used in 'in focus' (clear) and 'out of focus' (blurry). The phrase 'soft focus' describes a deliberately gentle, less sharp image.
常見錯誤
focus — verb
- focuspresent simple I / you / we / they
- focuseshe / she / it
- focusseshe / she / it
- focusedpast simple
- focussedpast simple
- focusing-ing form
- focussing-ing form
1. to move the lens of a camera, microscope, or other optical device so that the re
to move the lens of a camera, microscope, or other optical device so that the resulting image appears clear and sharp
Lien focused the microscope until the individual cells became clearly visible in the lens.
focus + [optical device] — transitive, adjusting a tool
Takeshi focused his camera on the bird sitting on the fence across the garden.
focus + [device] + on + [object] — directing the focus
The camera focused automatically as soon as Camila pressed the button halfway down.
It took the photographer a few seconds to focus the large professional lens.
- blur
to make an image unclear; the opposite of focusing
文法句型
focus + [device]
focus + [device] + on + [object]
[device] + focuses (intransitive)
用法筆記
Often used with 'on' + the target object. Can be transitive (focus the camera) or intransitive (the camera focuses). The intransitive form commonly appears in technical or product descriptions.
常見錯誤
2. to make your eyes work in a way that brings an object or text into clear view, o
to make your eyes work in a way that brings an object or text into clear view, or for your eyes to do this naturally on their own
Aylin focused her eyes on the small print at the bottom of the medicine bottle.
focus + eyes + on + [object] — transitive, deliberate
The baby tried to focus his eyes on the colourful toy hanging above his bed.
After stepping into the dark cinema from the bright street, Aylin's eyes took a moment to focus.
Tamar's eyes focused slowly on the clock on the wall as she woke up from her nap.
文法句型
focus + eyes + on + [object]
focus + on + [object]
eyes + focus
用法筆記
Intransitive use (one's eyes focus) describes an automatic biological process. Transitive use (focus one's eyes) implies deliberate effort. This sense differs from ADJUST LENS in that the subject is a person or a person's eyes, not a device.
常見錯誤
3. to direct rays of light, sound, heat, or other energy towards a single point, or
to direct rays of light, sound, heat, or other energy towards a single point, or for these rays to meet at that point
The parabolic dish focuses radio waves from space onto a single receiver the size of a coin.
focus + [energy/waves] + onto + [point] — directing energy
A magnifying glass focuses the sun's rays onto a small area, creating enough heat to burn a leaf.
The curved ceiling of the concert hall focuses the sound towards the centre of the stage.
The large satellite dish focuses the television signal onto a small receiver at its centre.
- converge
intransitive only — 'the light converges', not 'converge the light'
- concentrate
similar meaning but less precise for physical wave behaviour
- diverge
to spread apart, opposite of coming together at a point
文法句型
focus + [waves/light/energy] + on/onto + [point]
[rays/waves] + focus + at + [point]
用法筆記
Primarily a technical/scientific sense. The object is an energy form (light, sound, heat) and the complement is 'on' or 'onto' a location. Intransitive use (the rays focus) is much less common in everyday language.
4. to give all your mental effort and attention to a particular task, idea, or pers
to give all your mental effort and attention to a particular task, idea, or person, ignoring other things
Christopher focused on his breathing to stay calm before the important interview.
focus on + [noun/-ing] — directing attention to a specific activity
Salma found it hard to focus in the noisy café with so many people talking around her.
The report focuses on the causes of flooding in low-lying coastal areas of Taiwan.
The team agreed to focus their energy on finishing the project by Friday afternoon.
Devika focused on her science assignment while her brother played drums in the next room.
- concentrate
nearly interchangeable; 'concentrate' may suggest more effort, 'focus' more direction
- zero in on
more informal, suggests narrowing down from a wider area
- home in on
similar to 'zero in on'; suggests moving towards a target
文法句型
focus on + [noun/-ing]
focus + attention/energy + on + [noun]
focus + to-infinitive (rare)
用法筆記
The most common verb sense. The object of concentration follows 'on' (focus on something). With a direct object, common nouns are 'attention', 'energy', or 'efforts'. The verb is rarely used transitively with a personal object (*focus me is incorrect).