Standard Lemma guide

confocal

adj · noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /kənˈfəʊkəl/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • US: /kənˈfoʊkəl/

1

adj

Meaning 1

Having the same foci.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Topics: engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, optics, physical-sciences, physics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Any of a pair of confocal mirrors or lenses

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From con- + focal.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: confocal — Having the same foci
  • Italian: confocale — Having the same foci
  • Manx: co-focusagh — Having the same foci
  • Portuguese: confocal — Having the same foci
  • Spanish: confocal — Having the same foci