English Reference

Word

focussed

Phoneticsfo·cussed

US/ˈfoʊkəst/

UK/fˈəʊkəszt/

Definition

adj. giving all your attention to one particular thing. You use this to describe someone who is working hard and not getting distracted.

adj. directing a great deal of attention, interest, or activity towards a particular aim. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'remain' or 'stay'.

Examples

“She stays focussed on her goals.”

“The team remained focussed on the project despite the tight deadline and constant interruptions.”

“A more focussed approach to urban planning could mitigate the environmental impact of rapid population growth while simultaneously improving the quality of life for residents.”

Examples

simple

“She stays focussed on her goals.”

contextual

“The team remained focussed on the project despite the tight deadline and constant interruptions.”

complex

“A more focussed approach to urban planning could mitigate the environmental impact of rapid population growth while simultaneously improving the quality of life for residents.”

Usage

Commonly follows linking verbs such as 'be', 'stay', or 'remain'.

Pitfall

He is very focus on his work

He is very focussed on his work

Learners often use the base verb 'focus' instead of the participial adjective 'focussed' to describe a state.

Real-World Examples

“He said the business was focussed on "everyday low prices, not short-lived offers that disappear the following week".”
BBC News · 28 Sept 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference