eye contact
Americannoun
-
the act of looking directly into another's eyes.
We never made eye contact at any time during the interview.
-
Psychology. a meeting of the eyes of two persons, regarded as a meaningful nonverbal form of communication.
noun
Etymology
Origin of eye contact
First recorded in 1960–65
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I try to give good eye contact, nod to what they're saying and show them I'm engaged," he says.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
"I had a big problem with eye contact - I just wouldn't look anybody in the eye."
From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026
Stunned but determined to stay professional, I quickly prepared his soup, served it without making eye contact, and stepped away.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026
And very sweetly and with kind eye contact, he asked, “Can I laugh now?”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026
Dad avoids eye contact when he says this part, and I realize he feels as helpless as I do.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
