Platonic

American  

[pluh-ton-ik, pley-] / pləˈtɒn ɪk, pleɪ- /

Or platonic

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.

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Platonic British  

/ pləˈtɒnɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to Plato or his teachings

2. (often not capital) free from physical desire

   Platonic love

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Usage

What else does platonic mean? Platonic characterizes a close but non-sexual relationship between people. It’s especially used in reference to two people of opposite sexes who have a strong, deep friendship.

Other Word Forms

• Platonically adverb
• anti-Platonic adjective
• post-Platonic adjective
• pro-Platonic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Platonic

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

Explanation

Platonic describes a relationship that is purely spiritual and not physical. If a guy and a girl hang out all the time but aren't boyfriend and girlfriend, they'd describe their friendship as platonic. This word platonic refers to the writings of Plato, an ancient Greek philosopher who wrote on the interesting subject of love. Platonic love and platonic friendships are marked by the absence of physical or sexual desire. Plato did acknowledge physical desire, but thought that if two people truly inspired each other, their spiritual or ideal love would bring them closer to God.

Example Sentences

If the underlying rules of the Platonic realm seem similar to those governing a computer simulation, could that realm itself be simulated?

From Science Daily • Nov. 10, 2025

“It was a great wave, and it crashed,” Mr Fortin said after a day flying his drones on the AppleTV+ show Platonic - his first gig with drones since April.

From BBC • Sep. 28, 2024

The Apple Pan, a small restaurant in Los Angeles where just about everything is as it was 76 years ago, is the Platonic ideal of a no-frills 1940s diner.

From New York Times • Aug. 4, 2023

"We're going for the laughs," the Australian actress said of her new Apple TV+ series "Platonic."

From Salon • Jun. 23, 2023

The truth was that Jay Gatsby, of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his Platonic conception of himself.

From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Related Words

• transcendent
• utopian