focus

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈfoʊ.kəs/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈfəʊ.kəs/, SAMPA: /"f@U.k@s/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form focus

Third-person singular focuses

Past tense focused

Past participle focused

Present participle focusing

1. (transitive) If you focus on something, you pay special attention to it.

   A small company will probably focus its attention on each artist's project more than a major label.

   Class, please focus on your assignment and stop talking.

2. (transitive & intransitive) If you focus a lens, you adjust it to make a clear picture.

   Most digital cameras automatically focus on the object in the centre.

   You know, without my glasses, my eyes just can't focus well enough to read.

Noun

Singular focus

Plural focuses

The dog on the left is out of focus, the dog on the right is in focus

1. (countable) (usually singular) The focus is the main thing or person that people are paying attention to.
2. (uncountable) If your focus is on something, your attention is on it.
3. (uncountable) If something is in focus, the image is clear.