focus
/ˈfəʊ.kəs/
The word originates from the Latin for "hearth," evoking a central point where heat and energy converge. It describes the act of narrowing one's attention or optical clarity to a single, sharp point while blurring out distractions. In a cognitive sense, it implies an active effort of will. Unlike "attention," which can be passive or drifting, "focus" suggests a disciplined, laser-like intensity. It is often used in professional and academic contexts to denote productivity and mental discipline. Optically, it refers to the precise convergence of light rays. This physical property serves as the metaphor for the mental state: when something is "out of focus," it is vague or confusing; when "in focus," it is clear and actionable.
💬Casual Conversation
Ugh, I just cannot focus on this econ reading. My brain is soup.
Take a quick break. You need to zone out the noise for a bit.
Meanings
The center of interest or activity.
"The main focus of the meeting was the budget deficit."
The state or quality of having clear visual definition.
"The photographer adjusted the lens to improve the focus of the image."
The point at which rays of light meet after reflection or refraction.
"The magnifying glass concentrates the sun's rays at a single focus."
To adapt a lens or mirror to produce a clear image.
"Please focus the camera before taking the picture."
To direct one's attention or effort toward a particular object or activity.
"We need to focus our resources on the most urgent tasks."
To concentrate one's attention on a particular thing.
"It is hard to focus when there is so much noise in the room."
Collocations & Compounds
main focus
The primary or most important thing that something is concerned with.
The main focus of the meeting was the company's financial performance.
area of focus
A specific subject or topic that is being concentrated on.
Developing new sustainable technologies is our main area of focus.
laser focus
Intense and unwavering concentration.
She had a laser focus on her goal and didn't let anything distract her.
point of focus
The central or most important aspect of something.
The economic recovery is the main point of focus for the government.
focus group
A group of people assembled to provide feedback on a product, service, or concept.
We conducted a focus group to test the new advertising campaign.
Phrasal Verbs
focus on
To pay special attention to a particular person or thing.
We need to focus on improving customer satisfaction.
focus in on
To direct your attention or efforts towards a particular person or thing, often with precision.
The investigation will focus in on the suspect's financial records.
focus out
To deliberately ignore or disregard something.
He tried to focus out the distractions and concentrate on his work.
Idioms & Sayings
in focus
Clear and sharp; easy to see or understand.
After adjusting the lens, the image finally came into focus.
out of focus
Not clear or sharp; blurred.
The photograph was slightly out of focus, making the details hard to discern.
keep the focus
To maintain attention on a particular subject or goal.
It's important to keep the focus on the primary objectives of the project.
Etymology
The word 'focus' comes from Latin, where it originally meant 'hearth' or 'fireplace'. In the 17th century, it was adopted into English in a scientific context, specifically in optics, to describe the point where light rays converge. This meaning of a central point or convergence was then extended metaphorically to describe the central point of attention or interest, leading to its modern usage.