focal

focal — adjective

1. describes a person, thing, or idea that is the most noticeable or important, wit

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a person, thing, or idea that is the most noticeable or important, with everything else connected to or depending on it.

例句

The large fountain became the focal point of the park for local children.

focal point — the most common collocation

Kenji's speech was the focal moment of the entire graduation ceremony.

focal moment — focus on a time/event

同義詞
  • central

    more common and broader in use; can describe location or importance, while 'focal' specifically emphasizes being the center of attention

  • key

    highlights essential importance for a particular result; less about attention and more about function

  • main

    simpler and more informal; simply means 'most important' without the nuance of drawing attention

  • primary

    implies first in order or rank, not necessarily the center of focus

反義詞
  • peripheral

    describes something on the edge or of minor importance

  • secondary

    less important than the main focus

  • minor

    of little importance or influence

文法句型

focal + noun

the focal + noun

用法筆記

Almost always used attributively (before a noun), most commonly in the fixed phrase 'focal point'. Unlike synonyms such as 'central' or 'key', 'focal' rarely appears in predicative position — you would not typically say 'This issue is focal to our discussion.'

常見錯誤

❌This issue is focal to our decision.
✅This is the focal issue in our decision.
💡'focal' is almost never used predicatively (after a linking verb); it belongs before the noun.
❌The focal of the problem is money.
✅The focal point of the problem is money.
💡'focal' is an adjective, not a noun; use 'focus' or 'focal point' instead.