EYE CONTACT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does eye contact mean? 

• EYE CONTACT (noun)
  The noun EYE CONTACT has 2 senses:

1. a meeting of the eyes between two people that expresses meaningful nonverbal communication

2. contact that occurs when two people look directly at each other

  Familiarity information: EYE CONTACT used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EYE CONTACT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A meeting of the eyes between two people that expresses meaningful nonverbal communication

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

it was a mere glance, but the eye contact was enough to tell her that he was desperate to leave

Hypernyms ("eye contact" is a kind of...):

visual communication (communication that relies on vision)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Contact that occurs when two people look directly at each other

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

a teacher should make eye contact with the students

Hypernyms ("eye contact" is a kind of...):

contact (close interaction)

 Context examples 

The study found that positive interaction, with lots of eye contact, enhances the ability of mother and infant brains to operate as a single system.

(Mothers’ and babies’ brains ‘more in tune’ when mother is happy, University of Cambridge)

Other symptoms include: • Trouble reading social cues and recognizing other people's feelings • Having strange movements or mannerisms • Problems with motor skills • Avoiding eye contact • Having rituals • Being sensitive to certain lights, sounds, textures, or tastes

(Asperger Syndrome, NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)

Their speech is often flatter in tone, they make much less eye contact, and they are less likely to respond when their baby tries to get their attention.

(Mothers’ and babies’ brains ‘more in tune’ when mother is happy, University of Cambridge)