concentrate
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for concentrate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To focus one's full attention on something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
deconcentrate
How to use concentrate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
concentrate on
concentrate one's efforts
orange juice concentrate
Etymology
Likely borrowed from French concentrer or a related Romance-language word, ultimately built from con- ("together") plus center, plus the verb-forming suffix -ate.
Full origin of concentrate →Frequently asked questions
What does “concentrate” mean?
The word “concentrate” means to focus one's full attention on something. In plain terms, to focus attention tightly on something, or to make something stronger by reducing its bulk (as with a concentrated liquid).
How do you pronounce “concentrate”?
“Concentrate” is pronounced KON-suhn-trayt (/ˈkɑn.sən.tɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “concentrate” in a sentence?
Here is “concentrate” used in a sentence: “She tried to concentrate on her homework despite the noise.”
What part of speech is “concentrate”?
Depending on how it is used, “concentrate” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “concentrate” come from?
The word “concentrate” comes from French. Likely borrowed from French concentrer or a related Romance-language word, ultimately built from con- ("together") plus center, plus the verb-forming suffix -ate.
Is “concentrate” a common word?
“Concentrate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “concentrate” have?
“Concentrate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to focus one's full attention on something.
What is the difference between concentrate and focus?
As verbs the two overlap: both mean directing your full attention on something, and both take the preposition "on". Focus is slightly more common in modern usage and extends to lenses and cameras, while concentrate often implies sustained mental effort, as in "I can't concentrate with that noise."
Is it "concentrate on" or "concentrate in"?
When you mean giving your full attention, the preposition is "on": you concentrate on your work. "Concentrated in" belongs to the other sense — being gathered in one place — as in "the industry is concentrated in the north." Mixing the two is a common learner error.
What is the opposite of concentrate?
For the liquid sense, the opposite is dilute — adding liquid to weaken a solution rather than removing it to strengthen one. For the attention sense there is no exact single-word opposite; the idea is usually expressed with "lose focus" or "be distracted."
