noun

contact

A lens worn directly on the eye.

She removes one contact before rinsing her tired eyes.

Etymology

Contact shortens contact lens. The name distinguishes the lens by its placement directly against the eye, rather than in a frame held in front of it.

More examples

  • He wears contacts instead of glasses.
  • A contact had slipped out while he was swimming.
  • The optician checked the fit of both contacts.

Forms

contact · contacts

Similar words

contact lens
The complete name rather than the shortened noun.