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

“It was a great wave, and it crashed,” Mr Fortin said after a day flying his drones on the AppleTV+ show Platonic - his first gig with drones since April.

From BBC

Apparently the Platonic method of ferreting out hidden meanings was key to the neocons' certainty that Iraqi WMDs existed.

From Salon

Over a recent video call, the two stars, who also serve as executive producers of “Platonic,” discussed the joy of doing physical comedy, coveting Rogen’s colorful wardrobe and those pesky scooters.

From Los Angeles Times

And he knows about Marisa Franco’s 2022 bestseller “Platonic,” which explored how the science of attachment can help people make and keep friends throughout their lives.

From Seattle Times

The Apple Pan, a small restaurant in Los Angeles where just about everything is as it was 76 years ago, is the Platonic ideal of a no-frills 1940s diner.

From New York Times

Related Words

• transcendent
• utopian