I. con ‧ cen ‧ trate 1 S2 W2 AC /ˈkɒns ə ntreɪt $ ˈkɑːn-/ BrE AmE verb
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ concentrate ; noun : ↑ concentration ; adjective : ↑ concentrated ]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Origin: con- + Latin centrum 'center' ]
1 . [intransitive] to think very carefully about something that you are doing ⇨ concentration :
Now please concentrate.
Adrian was finding it difficult to concentrate.
concentrate on
Be quiet – let me concentrate on my homework.
2 . [intransitive and transitive] to be present in large numbers or amounts somewhere, or to cause people or things to be present in large numbers or amounts somewhere ⇨ concentration
concentrate something in/at something
Italian industry is concentrated mainly in the north.
Construction of the aircraft is being concentrated at Prestwick.
concentrate in/at
Women concentrate in a small number of occupations.
3 . something concentrates the mind if something concentrates the mind, it makes you think very clearly:
Relaxing in a Jacuzzi concentrates the mind wonderfully.
4 . [transitive] to make a substance or liquid stronger by removing some of the water from it ⇨ concentrated
concentrate (something) on something phrasal verb
to give most of your attention or effort to one thing SYN focus on :
Doctors are aiming to concentrate more on prevention than cure.
concentrate your efforts/attention/energy/mind etc on something
I’m concentrating my efforts on writing my autobiography.
II. concentrate 2 BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
a substance or liquid which has been made stronger by removing most of the water from it:
orange juice concentrate
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THESAURUS
▪ pay attention to carefully listen to, look at, or think about something or someone:
She told the class to stop talking and pay attention.
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In any relationship, it helps to pay attention to each other’s needs.
▪ concentrate to think carefully about something that you are doing and not let other things disturb your thoughts:
I tried to read a few pages, but I was too upset to concentrate.
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Children need their own quiet space where they can concentrate on their homework.
▪ keep your mind on something to continue to pay attention to something, especially when you are very excited or worried about something else:
On Friday, the day of the party, I had a dreadful time keeping my mind on my work.
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Good football players keep their minds on the game at all times.
▪ keep your eyes on something to keep watching something carefully, so that you do not make any mistakes:
The first rule of driving is to keep your eyes on the road.
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Keep your eyes on the ball – now swing!
▪ be engrossed in something to be paying so much attention to a book, a conversation, some work etc, that you do not notice what is happening around you:
Helen was sitting up in bed, engrossed in a novel.
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He was so engrossed in what he was doing he didn’t even hear the doorbell ring.
▪ be absorbed in something to be giving all your attention to something, especially something you are reading, watching, or thinking about:
The little boy sat at the edge of the pond, totally absorbed in watching the fish.
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He was a quiet man who often seemed to be absorbed in his own thoughts.
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Matilda was curled up in an armchair, absorbed in a book.
▪ give something/somebody your undivided attention to give all your attention to something or someone and not do anything else – used especially when this is something you want or need to do:
Come round when the kids are in bed so I can give you my undivided attention.
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Once I’ve finished my exams, I’ll be able to give my undivided attention to looking for a job.