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.

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eye contact British  

noun

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

   he maintained eye contact with his interrogator

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Etymology

Origin of eye contact

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

She advises thinking about the small things such as eye contact or touch that you can do with the time you have in the day together to make you feel like a couple again.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

For one, he’s getting to actually make public eye contact with his wife.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2026

Some sipped coffees, and looked around, avoided eye contact, and waited.

From Slate • Jan. 27, 2026

The company is holding trainings this month to emphasize its expectations, including eye contact with customers and meaningful phases written on to-go cups, according to baristas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

Also, the smirk on her face when we made eye contact as I was carried off the field said it all.

From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone