1.
to make eye contact; for eyes to meet
For two people to look at each other at the same time, resulting in mutual eye contact. Often implies a brief, sometimes significant moment.
I accidentally made eye contact with a stranger on the train, and it was awkward.
An intransitive expression — the subject does not actively choose to make eye contact; rather, it happens mutually. The particle と marks the other person: ~と目が合う. Often used in romantic contexts to describe a meaningful first glance, or in everyday situations to describe accidental eye contact. Related expressions include 目を合わせる (to deliberately look someone in the eye) and 目をそらす (to look away).
Related Words
Compare:
目を合わせる (to make eye contact)