Focus vs. Emphasis

Focus vs. Emphasis — Is There a Difference?
ADVERTISEMENT

Difference Between Focus and Emphasis

Focusnoun

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.

Emphasisnoun

Special weight or forcefulness given to something considered important.

He paused for emphasis before saying who had won.

Focusnoun

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

Emphasisnoun

Special attention or prominence given to something.

Anglia TV's emphasis is on Norwich and district.

Focusnoun

The fact of the convergence of light on the photographic medium.

Unfortunately, the license plate is out of focus in this image.

Emphasisnoun

Prominence given to a syllable or words, by raising the voice or printing in italic or underlined type.

He used a yellow highlighter to indicate where to give emphasis in his speech.
ADVERTISEMENT

Focusnoun

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.

Emphasisnoun

(typography) Related to bold.

Focusnoun

(uncountable) Concentration of attention.

I believe I can bring the high degree of focus required for this important job.

Emphasisnoun

(phonology) The phonetic or phonological feature that distinguishes emphatic consonants from other consonants

Focusnoun

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.

Emphasisnoun

special importance or significance;

the red light gave the central figure increased emphasisthe room was decorated in shades of gray with distinctive red accents
ADVERTISEMENT

Focusnoun

The indicator of the currently active element in a user interface.

Text entered at the keyboard or pasted from a clipboard is sent to the component which currently has the focus.

Emphasisnoun

intensity or forcefulness of expression;

the vehemence of his denialhis emphasis on civil rights

Focusnoun

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

Emphasisnoun

special and significant stress by means of position or repetition e.g.

Focusverb

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

Emphasisnoun

the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch);

he put the stress on the wrong syllable

Focusverb

(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.

Focusverb

To concentrate one's attention.

Focus on passing the test.

Focusverb

(intransitive) To concentrate one’s attention.

If you're going to beat your competitors, you need to focus.

Focusverb

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.

Focusnoun

the concentration of attention or energy on something;

the focus of activity shifted to molecular biologyhe had no direction in his life

Focusnoun

maximum clarity or distinctness of an image rendered by an optical system;

in focusout of focus

Focusnoun

maximum clarity or distinctness of an idea;

the controversy brought clearly into focus an important difference of opinion

Focusnoun

a central point or locus of an infection in an organism;

the focus of infection

Focusnoun

special emphasis attached to something;

the stress was more on accuracy than on speed

Focusnoun

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

Focusnoun

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

Focusverb

direct one's attention on something;

Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies

Focusverb

cause to converge on or toward a central point;

Focus the light on this image

Focusverb

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

Focusverb

become focussed or come into focus;

The light focused

Focusverb

put (an image) into focus;

Please focus the image; we cannot enjoy the movie