noun
the attention you give to one thing
I lose focus after a long meeting.
The music made it hard to keep my focus.
Common phrases & grammar
maintain focus · lose focus · regain focus · mental focus
focus on + noun/gerund
keep your focus on + noun
American English
How to pronounce focus
noun · verbB1Very common word
FOHkuhs
/ˈfoʊ.kəs/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
the attention you give to one thing
What to listen for
“Focus” is stressed on the first syllable: “FO-cus.” The last vowel is weak, so you may hear it as /ə/ or /ɪ/ in American English.
Meanings & examples
noun
the main subject or purpose of something
The main focus of the course is speaking.
The report puts the focus on small businesses.
Common phrases & grammar
main focus · primary focus · focus group · focus area
the focus of + noun
put the focus on + noun
noun
the state in which an image is clear and sharp
The bird is in focus.
The photo is out of focus.
Common phrases & grammar
sharp focus · soft focus · in sharp focus · focus ring
be in focus
bring something into focus
verb
to give your attention or effort to one thing
Please focus on the speaker.
She focused her efforts on finding a new job.
Good to know
For the thing receiving attention, use focus on, not focus in.
Common phrases & grammar
focus on a task · focus on results · focus your efforts · focus your attention
focus on + noun/gerund
focus your attention on + noun
Useful expressions
to give attention to something
We need to focus on the budget.
clear and sharp in a picture
The baby is in focus.
not clear or sharp in a picture
The faces are out of focus.
Related words & forms
In American English, do not double the s in focused or focusing.