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

Time-travelling to Swift's high school days in Tennessee, it reminisces about a boy she confined to the friend zone while yearning for a single kiss.

From BBC • Oct. 3, 2025

So Wrigley immediately wound up in the friend zone?

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 14, 2022

Reum, at least, has the look of a nice guy delighted to have been promoted from the friend zone.

From Salon • Nov. 17, 2021

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

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2021

I usually found myself in the friend zone right away.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi