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Aim vs. Focus — What's the Difference?

Aim vs. Focus — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Aim and Focus

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Aim

Point or direct (a weapon or camera) at a target
Aim for the middle of the target
Aim the camcorder at some suitable object

Focus

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

Aim

Have the intention of achieving
We aim to give you the best possible service
The programme will aim at deepening understanding

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

Aim

A purpose or intention; a desired outcome
Our primary aim is to achieve financial discipline
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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.

Aim

The directing of a weapon or missile at a target
His aim was perfect

Focus

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

Aim

To direct (a weapon or camera) toward a point.

Focus

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

Aim

To direct or propel (an object, such as a ball) toward a point
Aimed the pass at a wide receiver.
Aimed the shot at the lower right corner of the goal.

Focus

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

Aim

To direct toward or intend for a particular goal or group
The publicity campaign was aimed at improving the eating habits of children.

Focus

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

Aim

To direct a weapon or camera
The sniper aimed carefully.

Focus

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

Aim

To direct or propel an object toward a point
Aimed for the far goalpost.

Focus

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

Aim

To determine a course or direct an effort
Aim for a better education.

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.

Aim

To propose to do something; intend
The historical society is aiming to restore the town hall.

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.

Aim

The act of aiming
Take careful aim.

Focus

See focal length.

Aim

The ability to hit a target or intended point
A marksman with extraordinary aim.

Focus

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

Aim

The degree of accuracy of a weapon or of a person aiming a weapon or propelled object
Your aim was way off on that throw.

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).

Aim

A purpose or intention toward which one's efforts are directed
My aim was to try to make him laugh.

Focus

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

Aim

The pointing of a weapon, as a gun, a dart, or an arrow, or object, in the line of direction with the object intended to be struck; the line of fire; the direction of anything, such as a spear, a blow, a discourse, a remark, towards a particular point or object, with a view to strike or affect it.
Take time with the aim of your gun.
To take aim

Focus

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

Aim

The point intended to be hit, or object intended to be attained or affected.

Focus

(Geology) The point of origin of an earthquake.

Aim

Intention or goal
My number one aim in life is to make money to make my parents, siblings and kids happy.

Focus

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

Aim

The ability of someone to aim straight; one's faculty for being able to hit a physical target
The police officer has excellent aim, always hitting the bullseye in shooting practice.

Focus

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

Aim

(obsolete) Conjecture; guess.

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.

Aim

(intransitive) To point or direct a missile, or a weapon which propels as missile, towards an object or spot with the intent of hitting it
He aimed at the target, but the arrow flew straight over it.

Focus

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

Aim

(intransitive) To direct the intention or purpose; to attempt the accomplishment of a purpose; to try to gain; to endeavor;—followed by at, or by an infinitive
To aim at a pass
To aim to do well in life

Focus

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

Aim

(transitive) To direct or point (e.g. a weapon), at a particular object; to direct, as a missile, an act, or a proceeding, at, to, or against an object
To aim an arrow at the deer
She aimed a punch at her ex-boyfriend.

Focus

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

Aim

(transitive) To direct (something verbal) towards a certain person, thing, or group
To aim a satirical comment at Communists in general

Focus

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

Aim

To guess or conjecture.

Focus

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

Aim

To point or direct a missile weapon, or a weapon which propels as missile, towards an object or spot with the intent of hitting it; as, to aim at a fox, or at a target.

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.

Aim

To direct the indention or purpose; to attempt the accomplishment of a purpose; to try to gain; to endeavor; - followed by at, or by an infinitive; as, to aim at distinction; to aim to do well.
Aim'st thou at princes?

Focus

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

Aim

To guess or conjecture.

Focus

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

Aim

To direct or point, as a weapon, at a particular object; to direct, as a missile, an act, or a proceeding, at, to, or against an object; as, to aim a musket or an arrow, the fist or a blow (at something); to aim a satire or a reflection (at some person or vice).

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.

Aim

The pointing of a weapon, as a gun, a dart, or an arrow, in the line of direction with the object intended to be struck; the line of fire; the direction of anything, as a spear, a blow, a discourse, a remark, towards a particular point or object, with a view to strike or affect it.
Each at the head leveled his deadly aim.

Focus

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

Aim

The point intended to be hit, or object intended to be attained or affected.
To be the aim of every dangerous shot.

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.

Aim

Intention; purpose; design; scheme.
How oft ambitious aims are crossed!

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.

Aim

Conjecture; guess.
What you would work me to, I have some aim.

Focus

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

Aim

An anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;
His intent was to provide a new translation
Good intentions are not enough
It was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs
He made no secret of his designs

Focus

An object used in casting a magic spell.

Aim

The goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable);
The sole object of her trip was to see her children

Focus

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

Aim

The action of directing something at an object;
He took aim and fired

Focus

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

Aim

The direction or path along which something moves or along which it lies

Focus

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

Aim

Aim or direct at; as of blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment;
Please don't aim at your little brother!
He trained his gun on the burglar
Don't train your camera on the women
Take a swipe at one's opponent

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.

Aim

Propose or intend;
I aim to arrive at noon

Focus

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

Aim

Move into a desired direction of discourse;
What are you driving at?

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.

Aim

Specifically design a product, event, or activity for a certain public

Focus

To aggregate figures of accounts.

Aim

Intend (something) to move towards a certain goal;
He aimed his fists towards his opponent's face
Criticism directed at her superior
Direct your anger towards others, not towards yourself

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.

Aim

Direct (a remark) toward an intended goal;
She wanted to aim a pun

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.

Aim

Have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal

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

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