Platonic

[ pluh-ton-ik, pley- ]

See synonyms for Platonic on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of Plato or his doctrines: the Platonic philosophy of ideal forms.
pertaining to, involving, or characterized by Platonic love as a striving toward love of spiritual or ideal beauty.

(usually lowercase) purely spiritual; free from sensual desire, especially in a relationship between two persons of different sexes.
(usually lowercase) feeling or professing platonic love: He insisted that he was completely platonic in his admiration.

Origin of Platonic

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin Platōnicus, from Greek Platōnikós, equivalent to Platōn-, stem of Plátōn Plato + -ikos, -ic

Other words from Platonic

Pla·ton·i·cal·ly, adverb
an·ti-Pla·ton·ic, adjective
post-Pla·ton·ic, adjective
pro-Pla·ton·ic, adjective

Words Nearby Platonic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Platonic in a sentence

Reality as ConsciousnessThis view can be seen as a middle way between the Platonic and Aristotelian tradition.
The Universe Knows Right from Wrong - Issue 89: The Dark Side | Philip Goff | September 9, 2020 | Nautilus
Only the unworldly could still think this was, at its worst, only an unseemly Platonic relationship rather than a serious bonding.
Queen Victoria’s Secret Scottish Sex Castle | Clive Irving | August 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In high school, Tsukuru was one of five Platonic but intimate friends who did everything together and thought as one.
Haruki Murakami's Weird, Wonderful World | Malcolm Jones | August 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
She uses the celebrations of holy matrimony as a way to chronicle her own relationships, both romantic and Platonic.
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But when pressed on the nature of their relationship—which Stiviano has characterized as Platonic—Sterling clammed up.
Donald Sterling’s Insane Attempt at Damage Control Fails Miserably | Nina Strochlic | May 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

I remembered the usual termination of Platonic liaisons, and thought how disgusted I had been whenever I heard of one.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show | Robert W. Chambers | February 20, 2014 | 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.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James Wills
The two minds, not hearts, were at once united; but this Platonic union soon led to one more tender.
Madame Roland, Makers of History | John S. C. Abbott
The single bright ray across her life was an absolutely Platonic love for her cousin Charles Grandet.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z | Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
This is obviously the Platonic doctrine of two right keys, holding the mean between high and low.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music | David Binning Monro
The manner in which Aristides introduces his information about the Platonic Modes is highly suspicious.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music | David Binning Monro

British Dictionary definitions for Platonic

Platonic

/ (pləˈtɒnɪk) /

adjective

of or relating to Plato or his teachings
(often not capital) free from physical desire: Platonic love

Derived forms of Platonic

Platonically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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