friend zone

¹

[frend zohn]

noun

Slang.

1. a friendship in which one person, typically male, is romantically or sexually attracted to the other, but the attraction is not mutual.

   He's obviously in love with her but she keeps him in the friend zone.

friend-zone

²

[frend-zohn]

verb (used with object)

friend-zoned, friend-zoning 

1. Slang.,  to put (someone) in the friend zone.

   He wonders why he's always getting friend-zoned by women he likes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of friend zone¹

First recorded in 1990–95

Origin of friend zone²

First recorded in 1990–95

When To Use

What does friend-zone mean?

The friend-zone is a figure of speech for what happens when one person wants to take things to the next level romantically but the other person just wants to be friends.