friend zone

¹ American  

[frend zohn] / ˈfrɛnd ˈzoʊn /

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.

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friend-zone ² American  

[frend-zohn] / ˈfrɛndˌzoʊn /

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.

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of friend zone¹

First recorded in 1990–95

Origin of friend-zone²

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

They remained in the friend zone through high school but became college sweethearts junior year, just briefly.

From Seattle Times

It went from the war zone to the friend zone.

From Seattle Times

Don’t contact her again unless you are willing to stay firmly in the friend zone.

From Washington Post

A half-hour later, Dr. Lord, determined to steer clear of the “friend zone,” asked her out in a carefully worded text.

From New York Times

Once Ms. Berry and Ms. Hunt finally passed the friend zone in the summer of 2017, they formalized their relationship in July at a Central Park version of Sundae Sermon, a D.J. party normally held in Harlem.

From New York Times