Ask Difference

Focus vs. Focused — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Focus and Focused

ADVERTISEMENT

Definitions

Focus

The centre of interest or activity
This generation has made the environment a focus of attention

Focused

Directing a great deal of attention, interest, or activity towards a particular aim
Darren knows what he wants and he's very focused
The need for more focused research
He seems to be very focused on the new challenge

Focus

The state or quality of having or producing clear visual definition
His face is rather out of focus
The incident brought her feelings for Alexander sharply into focus

Focused

The distinctness or clarity of an image rendered by an optical system.

Focus

One of the fixed points from which the distances to any point of a given curve, such as an ellipse or parabola, are connected by a linear relation.
ADVERTISEMENT

Focused

The state of maximum distinctness or clarity of such an image
In focus.
Out of focus.

Focus

An element of a sentence that is given prominence by intonational or other means.

Focused

An apparatus used to adjust the focal length of an optical system in order to make an image distinct or clear
A camera with automatic focus.

Focus

Adapt to the prevailing level of light and become able to see clearly
Try to focus on a stationary object

Focused

A point at which rays of light or other radiation converge or from which they appear to diverge, as after refraction or reflection in an optical system
The focus of a lens. Also called focal point.
ADVERTISEMENT

Focus

Pay particular attention to
The study will focus on a number of areas in Wales

Focused

See focal length.

Focus

Place the focus on (an element of a sentence).

Focused

A center of interest or activity
"Precisely how diet affects E. coli in livestock is the focus of current research" (Cindy Engel).

Focus

The distinctness or clarity of an image rendered by an optical system.

Focused

Close or narrow attention; concentration
"He was forever taken aback by [New York's] pervasive atmosphere of purposefulness—the tight focus of its drivers, the brisk intensity of its pedestrians" (Anne Tyler).

Focus

The state of maximum distinctness or clarity of such an image
In focus.
Out of focus.

Focused

A condition in which something can be clearly apprehended or perceived
Couldn't get the problem into focus.

Focus

An apparatus used to adjust the focal length of an optical system in order to make an image distinct or clear
A camera with automatic focus.

Focused

(Medicine) The region of a localized bodily infection or disease.

Focus

A point at which rays of light or other radiation converge or from which they appear to diverge, as after refraction or reflection in an optical system
The focus of a lens. Also called focal point.

Focused

(Geology) The point of origin of an earthquake.

Focus

See focal length.

Focused

(Mathematics) A fixed point whose relationship with a directrix determines a conic section.

Focus

A center of interest or activity
"Precisely how diet affects E. coli in livestock is the focus of current research" (Cindy Engel).

Focused

To cause (light rays, for example) to converge on or toward a central point; concentrate.

Focus

Close or narrow attention; concentration
"He was forever taken aback by [New York's] pervasive atmosphere of purposefulness—the tight focus of its drivers, the brisk intensity of its pedestrians" (Anne Tyler).

Focused

To render (an object or image) in clear outline or sharp detail by adjustment of one's vision or an optical device; bring into focus.

Focus

A condition in which something can be clearly apprehended or perceived
Couldn't get the problem into focus.

Focused

To adjust (a lens, for example) to produce a clear image.

Focus

(Medicine) The region of a localized bodily infection or disease.

Focused

To direct toward a particular point or purpose
Focused all their attention on finding a solution to the problem.

Focus

(Geology) The point of origin of an earthquake.

Focused

To converge on or toward a central point of focus; be focused.

Focus

(Mathematics) A fixed point whose relationship with a directrix determines a conic section.

Focused

To adjust one's vision or an optical device so as to render a clear, distinct image.

Focus

To cause (light rays, for example) to converge on or toward a central point; concentrate.

Focused

To concentrate attention or energy
A campaign that focused on economic issues.

Focus

To render (an object or image) in clear outline or sharp detail by adjustment of one's vision or an optical device; bring into focus.

Focused

Directing all one's efforts towards achieving a particular goal.

Focus

To adjust (a lens, for example) to produce a clear image.

Focused

Dealing with some narrowly defined aspects of a broader phenomenon.

Focus

To direct toward a particular point or purpose
Focused all their attention on finding a solution to the problem.

Focused

Simple past tense and past participle of focus

Focus

To converge on or toward a central point of focus; be focused.

Focused

Being in focus or brought into focus; clearly delineated; - of an image. Opposite of unfocused.

Focus

To adjust one's vision or an optical device so as to render a clear, distinct image.

Focused

Converging on a point; - of light rays; as, focused light rays can set something afire.

Focus

To concentrate attention or energy
A campaign that focused on economic issues.

Focused

Concentrated on or clustered around a central point or purpose.

Focus

A point at which reflected or refracted rays of light converge.
The heat of sunlight at the focus of a magnifying glass can easily set dry leaves on fire.

Focused

Of an optical system (e.g. eye or opera glasses) adjusted to produce a clear image

Focus

A point of a conic at which rays reflected from a curve or surface converge.

Focused

Being in focus or brought into focus

Focus

The fact of the convergence of light on the photographic medium.
Unfortunately, the license plate is out of focus in this image.

Focused

(of light rays) converging on a point;
Focused light rays can set something afire

Focus

The quality of the convergence of light on the photographic medium.
During this scene, the boy’s face shifts subtly from soft focus into sharp focus.

Focused

Concentrated on or clustered around a central point or purpose

Focus

(uncountable) Concentration of attention.
I believe I can bring the high degree of focus required for this important job.

Focus

The exact point of where an earthquake occurs, in three dimensions (underneath the epicentre).
The earthquake's focus was at exactly 37 degrees north, 18 degrees south, seventy five meters below the ground.

Focus

(GUI) The status of being the currently active element in a user interface, often indicated by a visual highlight.
Text entered at the keyboard or pasted from a clipboard is sent to the component which currently has the focus.

Focus

(linguistics) The most important word or phrase in a sentence or passage, or the one that imparts information.

Focus

An object used in casting a magic spell.

Focus

To concentrate during a task.
I have to focus on my work.

Focus

(transitive) To direct attention, effort, or energy to a particular audience or task.
The president focused her remarks to the newcomers.

Focus

(transitive) To cause (rays of light, etc) to converge at a single point.

Focus

(transitive) To adjust (a lens, an optical instrument) in order to position an image with respect to the focal plane.
You'll need to focus the microscope carefully in order to capture the full detail of this surface.

Focus

(intransitive) To concentrate one’s attention.
If you're going to beat your competitors, you need to focus.

Focus

To transfer the input focus to (a visual element), so that it receives subsequent input.
The text box won't receive the user's keystrokes unless you explicitly focus it.

Focus

To aggregate figures of accounts.

Focus

A point in which the rays of light meet, after being reflected or refracted, and at which the image is formed; as, the focus of a lens or mirror.

Focus

A point so related to a conic section and certain straight line called the directrix that the ratio of the distance between any point of the curve and the focus to the distance of the same point from the directrix is constant.

Focus

A central point; a point of concentration.

Focus

To bring to a focus; to focalize; as, to focus a camera.

Focus

The concentration of attention or energy on something;
The focus of activity shifted to molecular biology
He had no direction in his life

Focus

Maximum clarity or distinctness of an image rendered by an optical system;
In focus
Out of focus

Focus

Maximum clarity or distinctness of an idea;
The controversy brought clearly into focus an important difference of opinion

Focus

A central point or locus of an infection in an organism;
The focus of infection

Focus

Special emphasis attached to something;
The stress was more on accuracy than on speed

Focus

A point of convergence of light (or other radiation) or a point from which it diverges

Focus

A fixed reference point on the concave side of a conic section

Focus

Direct one's attention on something;
Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies

Focus

Cause to converge on or toward a central point;
Focus the light on this image

Focus

Bring into focus or alignment; to converge or cause to converge; of ideas or emotions

Focus

Become focussed or come into focus;
The light focused

Focus

Put (an image) into focus;
Please focus the image; we cannot enjoy the movie

Popular Comparisons

Featured Comparisons

Trending Comparisons

New Phrases