Focusing
/ˈfəʊkəsɪŋ/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo concentrate one's attention or effort on something.
/ˈfəʊkəsɪŋ/
Direct one's attention or effort on a specific thing.
The students are focusing on the lecture.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing a game, and you want to win. Focusing means you're putting all your attention on the game to do your best. Like, 'I'm focusing on getting a good grade!' or, 'Let's focus on finishing our homework!'.
👶 For kids: To look very carefully or to think hard about something.
More Examples
The photographer is focusing the camera.
We need to focus our resources on this project.
She is focusing on the problem.
How It's Used
"She is focusing on her studies this semester."
"The company is focusing its efforts on expanding into new markets."
To adjust a lens or instrument to create a sharp image.
/ˈfəʊkəsɪŋ/
Cause light or other radiation to converge to a point.
The camera is focusing on the model.
💡 Simply: When you take a picture, you have to make the camera 'focus' so the picture is clear. If the picture is blurry, it's not in focus!
👶 For kids: Making a camera lens or your eyes work well to see something clearly.
More Examples
The scientist is focusing the microscope.
Focusing the telescope allows us to see distant stars.
The technician focused the laser beam.
How It's Used
"The photographer is focusing the lens to capture the subject clearly."
"The lens is designed for focusing light rays."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
focus on
To give attention to something.
"She decided to focus on her career."
From the Latin 'focus' (hearth, fireplace), which came to mean the point where rays converge, then extended to mental concentration in the 19th century.
Appeared in the 17th century meaning a 'point of convergence,' and gained its current meaning in the 19th century.
Memory tip
Think of a camera lens: You need to adjust the lens to focus on the subject clearly.
Word Origin
"hearth, fireplace"