focus

Noun

Noun

×

A word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea.

Plural

foci

Verb

Verb

×

A word that expresses an action, state, or occurrence.

present (v1)

focus

past (v2)

focused

past participle (v3)

focused

present participle

focusing

3rd person singular

focuses

Noun

Noun

×

A word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea.

1. 1.A point at which reflected or refracted rays of light converge.

   • The heat of sunlight at the focus of a magnifying glass can easily set dry leaves on fire.

2. 2.A point of a conic at which rays reflected from a curve or surface converge.

3. 3.The fact of the convergence of light on the photographic medium.

   • Unfortunately, the license plate is out of focus in this image.

4. 4.The quality of the convergence of light on the photographic medium.

   • During this scene, the boy’s face shifts subtly from soft focus into sharp focus.

Verb

Verb

×

A word that expresses an action, state, or occurrence.

1. 1.To cause (rays of light, etc) to converge at a single point.

2. 2.To adjust (a lens, an optical instrument) in order to position an image with respect to the focal plane.

   • You'll need to focus the microscope carefully in order to capture the full detail of this surface.

3. 3.To adjust itself or be adjusted such that light from a scene converges appropriately to create a clear image.

   • I can't get the lens to focus.
   • The camera focuses automatically on the subject's eyes.

4. 4.To direct attention, effort, or energy to a particular audience or task.

   • The president focused her remarks on the newcomers.

Overall

Common· #668

By learning goal

Everyday conversation

Uncommon

General reading & writing

Common

Academic

Uncommon

Literature

Rare

Synonyms

• direction