Learner’s Word of the Day =>Focus

Learner’s Word of the Day

 

 

focus      /ˈfoʊkəs/   verb

 

 

 

Inflected forms:

focuses also focusses; focused also focussed; focusing alsofocussing

 

Meanings:

1 [with object] : to cause (something, such as attention) to be directed at something specific — followed by on

Examples:

<The crime has focused public attention on the problem of parole.>

<We need to focus our efforts on getting the work done.>

 

2 [no object] : to direct your attention or effort at something specific

Example:

<She has an amazing ability to focus for hours at a time.>

 

Note: This sense of focus is often followed by on.

Examples:

<We need to focus on getting the work done.>

<The day’s news coverage focused primarily/mainly on the scandal.>

 

3 : to adjust (something, such a lens or a camera) to make an image clear

Examples:

[with object] <focus a telescope>

<I wasn't able to focus the camera.>

<He focused his binoculars on a distant ship. [=he looked through his binoculars at a distant ship]>

[no object] <I wasn't able to get the camera to focus.>

 

Note:If you focus your eyes on something or if your eyes focus on something, you look at that thing so that you can see it clearly.

Examples:

<Everyone focused their eyes on her [=everyone looked at her] when she entered the room.>

<His eyes were focused on the road. = He kept his eyes focusedon the road.>

 

4 technical : to cause (light) to come together at a point

Examples:

[with object] <focus rays of light>

[no object] <laser beams that focus at a single point>

Learn about focus as a noun.