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

I liked how he was nice to the server and that his eye contact put me at ease.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

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 • Mar. 12, 2026

As they moved through the space, they scanned the room, making eye contact with employees and customers.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

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

From Slate • Jan. 27, 2026

And so Aru maintained eye contact with the pigeon...but took one step back.

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi