Platonic originally comes from the philosopher Plato, and in everyday use it describes a kind of relationship or affection that is close and caring but not sexual or romantic. In modern English, two common senses are:
- Platonic relationship: a deep friendship without sexual or romantic elements. People may share trust, support, and affection, but there is no sexual attraction or activity involved.
- Platonic love: love that is non-romantic and non-sexual, often described as a pure or idealized form of affection between friends or mentors.
Key nuances:
- The term can refer to friendships between any gender, and it can involve caring, admiration, and strong emotional bonds.
- It does not imply a lack of closeness or warmth; rather, it distinguishes the bond from romantic or sexual relationships.
- Some discussions also explore related terms like queerplatonic, which describe relationships that are deep and significant but do not fit standard romantic categories.
If you’d like, I can tailor this into simple definitions, examples, or a quick comparison to romantic relationships.
