focal

At the centre of people's attention or interest.

• The fireplace is the room's focal point.
• Safety became the focal issue in the discussion.
• The square remains a focal point for community life.

Similar words: central, main

Opposites: peripheral

Common phrases: a focal point, the focal issue, a focal feature

Related to the point where light or other rays meet, or to a particular central location.

• This lens has a short focal length.
• The rays meet at the focal point.
• Changing the focal distance made the image clearer.

Common phrases: focal length, focal point, focal plane

Affecting or appearing in only one small area.

• The scan showed focal damage.
• The patient developed a focal rash on one arm.
• Focal seizures begin in one part of the brain.

Similar words: localized

Opposites: diffuse, generalized

Common phrases: a focal lesion, focal damage, a focal seizure

The person being studied, especially through their relationships and interactions with other people.

• The focal completed an interview.
• Observers recorded how the focal interacted with colleagues.
• Each focal received feedback from five other participants.

Similar words: subject

Common phrases: the selected focal, observe the focal, a study focal

A person who represents a particular group within an organization.

• Each department appointed a focal.
• The focal spoke for the team at the meeting.
• Please send your questions to your group's focal.

Similar words: representative, contact person

Common phrases: a department focal, the team focal, appoint a focal

A sign or other advertising item that draws attention to a special offer.

• The focal advertised a discount.
• Staff placed a bright focal beside the sale items.
• Each window focal highlighted a different special offer.

Similar words: promotional sign

Common phrases: a promotional focal, a window focal, display a focal

The central or most important part of something.

• The fountain is the main focal.
• A red shape forms the focal of the painting.
• The designer added two visual focals to the display.

How to use it: the focal of something (The sculpture is the focal of the arrangement.)

Similar words: focal point, centrepiece, centre

Common phrases: the main focal, a visual focal, focal of something