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eye contact

American  

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 British  

noun

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

    he maintained eye contact with his interrogator

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

When she confronts him outside his workplace, he is unwilling to speak or make eye contact.

From The Wall Street Journal

When he sits again, he assiduously avoids eye contact.

From Literature

But they refused to make eye contact with fans and appeared overwhelmed with anxiety, said Anahita Amini, an electrical engineer living in Brisbane, who attended the two matches.

From The Wall Street Journal

She and I make eye contact for the first time today, and I realize: she’s not wearing eyeliner.

From Literature

They were pleasant enough, but they did not make eye contact with me.

From Literature