refocus
Americanverb (used with object)
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to bring (a lens, beam of light, one's gaze, etc.) into focus again or on a new point.
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to concentrate (thought, efforts, or the like) again or on a new task, subject, or target.
verb (used without object)
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of a lens or beam of light, to come into focus again or on a new point.
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to concentrate one's thought, efforts, etc., again or on a new task or subject.
Explanation
The verb refocus means to readjust an optical device. If you are looking at the planets with a telescope, you may have to refocus the telescope to make everything come in clearly. The verb refocus can also mean to change priorities and concentrate on something different from before. When football season finally ends, maybe you will have the opportunity to refocus and concentrate on your studies. Refocus also means to focus anew. If your book club book is boring, you might have to refocus and give it another chance.
Vocabulary lists containing refocus
Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
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George
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Campbell’s on Thursday said that it has tried to refocus Goldfish on families with children over the past year.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026
Ending that requirement would help refocus the law on protecting individuals.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
Chief Executive Jack Cote described the layoffs as “painful” and said they are a result of organizational changes to refocus teams on top priorities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
A major catalyst was hiring Adele and Stormzy's producer Fraser T Smith, whose "calming" influence helped the band refocus.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
Dr. Strayer said that there was a long history of research into the concept of switching costs, the time it takes to refocus after moving from one mental task to the next.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
