Focus vs. Purpose — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Focus and Purpose
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Compare with Definitions
Focus
The centre of interest or activity
This generation has made the environment a focus of attention
Purpose
The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or goal
Her purpose in coming here is to talk to you. The purpose of an airliner is to transport people.
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
Purpose
Determination; resolution
He was a man of purpose.
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.
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Purpose
To intend or resolve
"the gap between what is said and what is purposed" (Ian Donaldson).
Focus
An element of a sentence that is given prominence by intonational or other means.
Purpose
The end for which something is done, is made or exists.
What is the purpose of your visit?
My purpose in coming to Egypt was simply to take it en route to the desert.
It has been my purpose to illustrate rather than to explain.
The exceptionally small gate-leg table served the purpose of a tea table admirably.
The purpose of the device is to prevent the breechblock from opening accidentally should the gun be held barrel down.
The purpose of this letter is to set the record straight.
The purpose of this book is to study the interrelationship of government and religion.
The device can be used for both civilian and military purposes.
The purpose of turning off the lights overnight is to save energy.
Focus
Adapt to the prevailing level of light and become able to see clearly
Try to focus on a stationary object
Purpose
Function, role.
Focus
Pay particular attention to
The study will focus on a number of areas in Wales
Purpose
(Sense of having a) meaning for existing or doing something.
Focus
Place the focus on (an element of a sentence).
Purpose
Resolution; determination.
Focus
The distinctness or clarity of an image rendered by an optical system.
Purpose
(obsolete) The subject of discourse; the point at issue.
Focus
The state of maximum distinctness or clarity of such an image
In focus.
Out of focus.
Purpose
(transitive) To have or set as one's purpose or aim; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.
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.
Purpose
(intransitive) To have (an) intention, purpose, or design; to intend; to mean.
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.
Purpose
To discourse.
Focus
See focal length.
Purpose
That which a person sets before himself as an object to be reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view is directed in any plan, measure, or exertion; view; aim; design; intention; plan.
He will his firste purpos modify.
As my eternal purpose hath decreed.
The flighty purpose never is o'ertookUnless the deed go with it.
Focus
A center of interest or activity
"Precisely how diet affects E. coli in livestock is the focus of current research" (Cindy Engel).
Purpose
Proposal to another; discourse.
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).
Purpose
Instance; example.
Focus
A condition in which something can be clearly apprehended or perceived
Couldn't get the problem into focus.
Purpose
To set forth; to bring forward.
Focus
(Medicine) The region of a localized bodily infection or disease.
Purpose
To propose, as an aim, to one's self; to determine upon, as some end or object to be accomplished; to intend; to design; to resolve; - often followed by an infinitive or dependent clause.
Did nothing purpose against the state.
I purpose to write the history of England from the accession of King James the Second down to a time which is within the memory of men still living.
Focus
(Geology) The point of origin of an earthquake.
Purpose
To have a purpose or intention; to discourse.
Focus
(Mathematics) A fixed point whose relationship with a directrix determines a conic section.
Purpose
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
To cause (light rays, for example) to converge on or toward a central point; concentrate.
Purpose
What something is used for;
The function of an auger is to bore holes
Ballet is beautiful but what use is it?
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.
Purpose
The quality of being determined to do or achieve something;
His determination showed in his every movement
He is a man of purpose
Focus
To adjust (a lens, for example) to produce a clear image.
Purpose
Propose or intend;
I aim to arrive at noon
Focus
To direct toward a particular point or purpose
Focused all their attention on finding a solution to the problem.
Purpose
Reach a decision;
He resolved never to drink again
Focus
To converge on or toward a central point of focus; be focused.
Focus
To adjust one's vision or an optical device so as to render a clear, distinct image.
Focus
To concentrate attention or energy
A campaign that focused on economic issues.
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.
Focus
A point of a conic at which rays reflected from a curve or surface converge.
Focus
The fact of the convergence of light on the photographic medium.
Unfortunately, the license plate is out of focus in this image.
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.
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
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