How to pronounce focus
Say it like FOH-kus. Focus has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOH).
- FOH
- kus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Focus pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- kusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of focus
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: FOH-kus.
What does focus mean?
- 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.”
- A point of a conic at which rays reflected from a curve or surface converge.
- The fact of the convergence of light on the photographic medium.“Unfortunately, the license plate is out of focus in this image.”
- To cause (rays of light, etc) to converge at a single point.
- 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.”
- To adjust itself or be adjusted such that light from a scene converges appropriately to create a clear image.“I can't get the lens to focus.”
Where does focus come from?
"One of the interesting properties of an ellipse is that if there were a light bulb at one focus, then all the light that it emits would reflect off the ellipse and converge at the other focus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with focus
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of focus.
Questions about saying focus
How do you pronounce focus?
Say FOH-kus. The American pronunciation is /ˈfoʊkəs/. In British English it is /ˈfəʊkəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in focus?
Focus has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOH). Broken into parts: FOH · kus.
Is focus pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈfəʊkəs/ (FOH-kus).