platonic

adjective

pla·​ton·​ic plə-ˈtä-nik 

plā-

1

Platonic : of, relating to, or characteristic of Plato or Platonism

2

a

: relating to or based on platonic love

also : experiencing or professing platonic love

b

: of, relating to, or being a relationship marked by the absence of romance or sex

3

: nominal, theoretical

platonically

plə-ˈtä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

plā-

adverb

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Two Meanings of Platonic

The two most common senses of platonic come from the same source, yet are different enough in meaning that it is rather important to distinguish between them. The original sense relates to the ancient Greek philosopher, Plato, or to his philosophy. It will always be capitalized. A secondary meaning that also stems from the name of the philosopher describes something (such as feelings or a relationship) that is characterized by an absence of romance or sex (a platonic relationship in this sense might simply be called a friendship). This sense alludes to Plato’s belief that love between people could be so strong as to transcend physical attachments.

Examples of platonic in a Sentence

Whereas in the more northerly clime of England the courtly lover of Malory and the Round Table tended to platonic adoration from afar, the Parisian woman already expected—and received—more earthly devotion. —Alistair Horne, Seven Ages of Paris, 2002

Relax. The Three Phils are strictly platonic. Yet three-pal business relationships are just as vulnerable to messy implosions as their romantic counterparts. —Anne Marie Cruz, ESPN, 7 Feb. 2000

… before concluding that your PC is for work and not pleasure, try hooking up a couple of first-rate speakers and then planting yourself in the platonic ideal of the chair. —Fortune, Summer 1998

They had a platonic friendship, not a romantic one.

Our relationship was strictly platonic.

Recent Examples on the Web

With headliners Radiohead, Lady Gaga, and Kendrick Lamar, and an undercard that included rising stars Travis Scott, Mitski, Kaytranada, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, and Thundercat, 2017 gets as close to the platonic ideal of a festival booking as possible. —Al Shipley, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024

Differing expectations of friendship Platonic relationships between men and women are a relatively recent phenomenon. —Allie Volpe, Vox, 2 Dec. 2024

Their split came years after the relationship became more platonic than romantic. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024

Scott encourages people to make one platonic friend at work. —Julie Kratz, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin platonicus, from Greek platōnikos, from Platōn Plato

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing platonic

• platonic love

Kids Definition

platonic

adjective

pla·​ton·​ic

plə-ˈtän-ik,

plā-

1

capitalized : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Greek philosopher Plato

2

: of, relating to, or being a relationship marked by the absence of romance or sex