focus

Everyday

1. To focus means to give all your attention to one thing. tree →
2. The focus is the main thing people are paying attention to. tree →
3. To focus a camera, eyes or a lens means to adjust it so you see clearly and sharply. tree →
4. In focus means clear and sharp; out of focus means blurry. tree →
5. In science, the focus is the point where rays of light meet after passing through a lens. tree →

In the lessons

In school: «focus on your work», a lesson's «focus», «stay focused»; focusing is easier when you have had sleep, food and few distractions. In science: lenses, magnifying glasses and eyes focus light; the eye's lens changes shape to focus. Safety: a magnifying glass can focus sunlight into a spot hot enough to start a fire. Phrases: «focus on», «stay focused», «lose focus», «in focus», «out of focus», «the focus of».

Examples

• Focus on the question before you answer. tree →
• Turn off the TV so you can focus on your homework. tree →
• The photo is out of focus. tree →
• Turn the knob to focus the microscope. tree →
• The focus of today's lesson is fractions. tree →
• A magnifying glass can focus sunlight and burn paper. tree →
• She stayed focused for the whole test. tree →
• My eyes took a moment to focus in the dark. tree →

Note

Both «focused» and «focussed» are correct; «focused» is more common. Used with «on»: «focus on the task». Plural noun: «focuses» or, in science, «foci».