autofocus

American

[aw-toh-foh-kuhs] / ˈɔ toʊˌfoʊ kəs /

Or auto-focus

adjective

having the ability to focus automatically.

an autofocus lens; an autofocus camera.

noun

such an ability.

autofocus British

/ ˈɔːtəʊˌfəʊkəs /

noun

another name for automatic focus

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of autofocus

First recorded in 1955–60; auto- ³ + focus

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.

Autofocus lenses could help people who struggle with varifocals or bifocals, says Paramdeep Bilkhu, clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2025

We didn’t find much use in another iPhone 14 camera upgrade: Autofocus on the front selfie camera.

From Washington Post • Sep. 14, 2022

Autofocus will still kick in, just not quite as close as it does with the automatic macro mode.

From The Verge • Oct. 26, 2021

As Autofocus shows, the urge to turn the camera on oneself is as strong today as it was in Bayard's age.

From The Guardian • Aug. 7, 2010

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023