Platonic

or pla·ton·ic

[ pluh-ton-ik, pley- ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Plato or his doctrines:

   the Platonic philosophy of ideal forms.

2. relating to, involving, or characterized by Platonic love as a striving toward love of spiritual or ideal beauty.
3. Usually platonic.
   1. being, relating to, or involving the kind of love that characterizes a friendship; free of sexual desire or romantic overtones:

      Despite their close bond and emotional connection, their relationship remained purely platonic.

   2. feeling or professing love of this kind:

      He insisted that he was completely platonic in his admiration.

Platonic

/ pləˈtɒnɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to Plato or his teachings
2. often not capital free from physical desire

   Platonic love

Derived Forms

• Plaˈtonically, adverb

Other Words From

• Pla·ton·i·cal·ly adverb
• an·ti-Pla·ton·ic adjective
• post-Pla·ton·ic adjective
• pro-Pla·ton·ic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Platonic¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin Platōnicus, from Greek Platōnikós, equivalent to Platōn-, stem of Plátōn Plato + -ikos, -ic

Example Sentences

Seen that way, friendships are love affairs, if platonic ones — and just as much of a roller coaster as romantic ones.

From Los Angeles Times

Get yourself less awful friends — there are even platonic female friendships available!

From Salon

In the 1920s and 30s, it was uncommon to find cross-national friendships, let alone close, platonic relationships between three men and a woman.

From BBC

That’s not always a bad thing – there remains a deficit of strongly written platonic friendships between men and women on TV.

From Salon

Now, Jane and John forget their platonic vow and go for it, silhouetted against a candy-colored TV cartoon blaring zanily in the background.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• transcendent
• utopian