'thing-focused' is a modern English compound formed from the noun 'thing' and the adjective/past-participle 'focused' (from 'focus'). 'thing' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'þing', where 'þing' meant 'assembly' or 'matter'. 'focused' ultimately originates from Latin, specifically the word 'focus', where 'focus' meant 'hearth' (later extended to 'center' or 'point of attention').

'thing' changed from Old English 'þing' (meaning 'assembly, matter') into Middle English 'thing' and eventually the modern English noun 'thing' meaning 'object' or 'matter'. 'focus' passed from Latin 'focus' into scientific and literary Latin and then into modern English as 'focus' (center of attention), producing the adjective/past-participle 'focused'. The compound 'thing-focused' formed in recent (modern) English by combining these elements to describe attention directed at things.

Initially, 'þing' referred to an 'assembly' or 'matter' and 'focus' referred to a 'hearth' or 'center'; over time 'thing' came to mean 'object' and 'focus' came to mean 'center of attention'. The compound thus evolved to mean 'attention directed at objects or features' in modern usage.