adj
Uncommon
focal
FOH-kl
Focal (adj) means Central or most important; forming the main point that everything else relates to. Example: “The fireplace was the focal point of the living room.”
adj
1
Central or most important; forming the main point that everything else relates to.
"The fireplace was the focal point of the living room."
"Climate change became the focal issue of the conference."
"The fountain is the focal point of the town square."
2
Relating to or located at a focus, such as the point where light rays converge.
"The lens was adjusted to correct the focal distance."
"The focal length of this camera lens makes distant birds look much closer."
"Light rays meet at the focal point behind a magnifying glass."
How to use focal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCentral or main — the thing everything else is arranged around.
Common pairings
focal point
focal length
focal issue
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like focal.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- focals
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The fireplace was the _____ point of the living room.
Etymology
From New Latin focalis, built on Latin focus ("hearth, fire") plus the adjective ending "-al."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for focal
See all rhymes for focal →Frequently asked questions
What does “focal” mean?
The word “focal” means central or most important; forming the main point that everything else relates to. In plain terms, central or main — the thing everything else is arranged around.
How do you pronounce “focal”?
“Focal” is pronounced FOH-kl (/ˈfoʊ.kl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “focal” in a sentence?
Here is “focal” used in a sentence: “The fireplace was the focal point of the living room.”
What part of speech is “focal”?
“Focal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “focal” come from?
The word “focal” comes from New Latin. From New Latin focalis, built on Latin focus ("hearth, fire") plus the adjective ending "-al.".
Is “focal” a common word?
“Focal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “focal” have?
“Focal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: central or most important; forming the main point that everything else relates to.
What is the difference between focal and central?
Central simply describes something at or near the middle, while focal specifically describes something that serves as the main point everything else relates to or converges on. A focal issue is the one drawing the most attention or importance, not just the one positioned centrally.
What is a focal point in photography or optics?
A focal point is the location where light rays converge after passing through a lens, producing a sharp image. The term is used in optics and photography to describe where focus is achieved.
How is focal used outside of science, such as in 'focal issue'?
Outside of science, focal describes whatever is central or most important in a discussion, such as a 'focal point' of a meeting or a 'focal concern' in an argument. It signals that everything else is organized around that one central idea.
