Focal: meaning, definitions and examples
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focal
[ ˈfoʊkəl ]
central point
The term 'focal' refers to something that serves as a center of interest or activity. It is often used in both scientific contexts, such as optics, and general usage to describe an important or significant aspect of a situation. In photography, the focal point is the main subject that draws the viewer's attention. It can also pertain to the focus in mental processes or discussions, indicating what is currently relevant or essential.
Synonyms
central, core, important, main
Examples of usage
- The focal point of the meeting was the new project proposal.
- In the painting, the focal area draws the viewer's gaze immediately.
- He adjusted the lens to ensure the image was in focal clarity.
- The focal length of the lens determines how zoomed in the image appears.
Translations
Translations of the word "focal" in other languages:
🇵🇹 focal
- central
- de foco
🇮🇳 केंद्र
- मुख्य
- फोकल
🇩🇪 fokal
- zentral
- Brennpunkt
🇮🇩 fokal
- pusat
- titik fokus
🇺🇦 фокальний
- центральний
- фокусний
🇵🇱 fokalny
- centralny
- punktowy
🇯🇵 焦点の
- 中心の
- フォーカル
🇫🇷 focal
- central
- de focal
🇪🇸 focal
- central
- de enfoque
🇹🇷 odak
- merkezi
- odak noktası
🇰🇷 초점의
- 중심의
- 포컬한
🇸🇦 بؤري
- مركزي
- نقطة التركيز
🇨🇿 fokální
- centrální
- bodový
🇸🇰 fokálny
- centrálny
- bodový
🇨🇳 焦点的
- 中心的
- 重点的
🇸🇮 fokalni
- osrednji
- točkovni
🇮🇸 miðpunktur
- fókal
- aðal
🇰🇿 фокальді
- орталық
- фокус
🇬🇪 ფოკალური
- ცენტრალური
- ფოკუსური
🇦🇿 fokal
- mərkəzi
- fokus
🇲🇽 focal
- central
- de enfoque
Word origin
The word 'focal' originates from the Latin word 'focus,' which means 'hearth' or 'fireplace.' In classical times, the focus referred to the central point of a fire, where everything revolved around the heat and light it provided. The term made its way into English through the influence of both scientific developments in optics and the metaphorical usage in various fields, denoting a center or a point of convergence. Over time, 'focal' evolved to describe areas of importance or concentration in psychology, photography, and various scientific disciplines. Thus, while it retains its connection to the idea of a central place, 'focal' has broadened its application to encompass any idea or element that serves a pivotal role in a context.
Word Frequency Rank
At #6,576 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.
- ...
- 6573 imaginary
- 6574 responsive
- 6575 pavement
- 6576 focal
- 6577 concluding
- 6578 reside
- 6579 mediated
- ...