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

---

Etymology

Origin of eye contact

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

He stopped his car, walked towards the collision and saw his brother sitting in the BMW, adding they made "eye contact".

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

If you encounter a coyote, keep a safe distance and back away slowly while maintaining eye contact, according to the agency.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 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

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

“You act like you don’t notice each other, avoid all eye contact, and when you brush past, you slip the object into the other person’s hand or pocket.”

From "City Spies" by James Ponti