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

Only the unworldly could still think this was, at its worst, only an unseemly platonic relationship rather than a serious bonding.

From The Daily Beast

In high school, Tsukuru was one of five platonic but intimate friends who did everything together and thought as one.

From The Daily Beast

She uses the celebrations of holy matrimony as a way to chronicle her own relationships, both romantic and platonic.

From The Daily Beast

But when pressed on the nature of their relationship—which Stiviano has characterized as platonic—Sterling clammed up.

From The Daily Beast

I remembered the usual termination of Platonic liaisons, and thought how disgusted I had been whenever I heard of one.

From The Daily Beast

True, she had taken a lively interest in all her brother's curates, but it was always a professional interest and purely Platonic.

From Project Gutenberg

The two minds, not hearts, were at once united; but this platonic union soon led to one more tender.

From Project Gutenberg

The single bright ray across her life was an absolutely platonic love for her cousin Charles Grandet.

From Project Gutenberg

This is obviously the Platonic doctrine of two right keys, holding the mean between high and low.

From Project Gutenberg

The manner in which Aristides introduces his information about the Platonic Modes is highly suspicious.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• transcendent
• utopian