eye contact

American

noun

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.

eye contact British

noun

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.

He would then dive into his answers with a cool but intense eye contact.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

I was struck last night by the intense eye contact between you and your husband.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 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

She makes eye contact with me and smiles.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

When I reach him, I don’t even bother trying to get him to smile or make eye contact with me.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023