concentration
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for concentration, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The ability to focus one's attention on a single task.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use concentration
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From New Latin concentrātiō, describing the act of bringing something to a single point — built from concentrate plus -ion.
Full origin of concentration →Frequently asked questions
What does “concentration” mean?
The word “concentration” means the ability to focus one's attention on a single task. In plain terms, either mental focus, the strength/density of a substance in a mixture, or (in US education) a specialized area of study.
How do you pronounce “concentration”?
“Concentration” is pronounced kon-suhn-TRAY-shuhn (/ˌkɑn.sənˈtɹeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “concentration” in a sentence?
Here is “concentration” used in a sentence: “The exam demands total concentration.”
What part of speech is “concentration”?
“Concentration” is a noun.
Where does the word “concentration” come from?
The word “concentration” comes from New Latin. From New Latin concentrātiō, describing the act of bringing something to a single point — built from concentrate plus -ion.
Is “concentration” a common word?
“Concentration” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “concentration” have?
“Concentration” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the ability to focus one's attention on a single task.
What is the difference between concentration and attention?
Concentration is the ability to focus one's attention on a single task, sustaining it over time. Attention is the broader mental act of noticing or directing awareness, which may be brief, while concentration is attention kept steadily on one thing.
What is the difference between concentration and focus?
In the sense of mental effort, concentration and focus are close synonyms, both meaning the ability to direct attention to a single task. 'Concentration' tends to stress the sustained effort involved, while 'focus' can also mean the specific point of that attention.
What are common collocations with 'concentration'?
In the mental sense, 'concentration' pairs with 'break someone's concentration,' 'lose concentration,' and 'deep concentration.' In the scientific sense, it appears in phrases like 'high concentration' and 'concentration of a solution.'