eye contact

noun

1. the act of looking directly into another's eyes:

   We never made eye contact at any time during the interview.

2. Psychology. a meeting of the eyes of two persons, regarded as a meaningful nonverbal form of communication.

eye contact

noun

1. a direct look between two people; meeting of eyes

   he maintained eye contact with his interrogator

Word History and Origins

Origin of eye contact¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Passegger has found that her experiences go more smoothly when she makes eye contact and offers answers to potential questions — like where her family will be traveling and for how long — before agents ask.

From Washington Post

“She’s pretty,” Grant immediately thought as he spent the first few moments online trying to look friendly and make eye contact with her.

From Washington Post

He made eye contact with me and nodded before turning to the bar manager.

From Ozy

When a teenage Thomas Bryant would grow too aggressive, commit too many fouls or mouth off at a referee during his college days at Indiana, Hoosiers Coach Tom Crean always resorted to eye contact.

From Washington Post

Former campaign managers shared tips on electoral strategy and the best kind of eye contact to make with large crowds.

From ProPublica

Others avoided eye contact as they cast their vote against the bill and quickly walked past her.

From The Daily Beast

He scans the crowd as he speaks, making eye contact with each person individually.

From The Daily Beast

In this episode, they introduce heavy eye contact, which was hilarious.

From The Daily Beast

Several of them make direct eye contact with Tompkins while others gesture suggestively toward their crotches.

From The Daily Beast

He asked how my family was doing, how school was, never raising his voice and only sometimes making eye contact.

From The Daily Beast

Eye-to-eye contact assists one to know and appreciate each other as caring persons.

From Project Gutenberg