refocus

American  

[ree-foh-kuhs] / riˈfoʊ kəs /

verb (used with object)

1. to bring (a lens, beam of light, one's gaze, etc.) into focus again or on a new point.

2. to concentrate (thought, efforts, or the like) again or on a new task, subject, or target.

---

verb (used without object)

1. of a lens or beam of light, to come into focus again or on a new point.

2. 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.

Example Sentences

British mobile phone giant Vodafone said Tuesday that it sharply reduced its annual losses as it undergoes major restructuring to refocus on its core markets after years of weak performance.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

“Porsche must refocus on its core business,” CEO Michael Leiters said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Microsoft has an opportunity to refocus investors on something other than its disappointing cloud growth when it reports earnings on Wednesday afternoon.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Nestlé said on Thursday that it had agreed to sell Blue Bottle Coffee, a coffee roaster, to Centurium Capital, part of an effort to slim down and refocus around core brands.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

At night, a Lithuanian lab assistant slept next to the camera on a cot, listening to its constant tick, making sure it stayed stable through the night, waking every hour to refocus it.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot