platonic love

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "platonic love" is used in English and is correct.
You might use it when referring to a love between two people that is not sexual but is instead based on friendship and mutual understanding. For example, "John and Jane shared a platonic love for many years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Adrift in London, Aneesa finds friendship, even platonic love, with Salah, an elderly Lebanese man.

The Economist

There's different kinds of love, and I'd never experienced that kind of totally platonic love.

The Guardian - Arts

It was mutual, if platonic, love at first sight between the 33-year-old socialite and the 60-year-old artist.

The Guardian

As she finally manages to let go of Ex and view their intense, yet largely platonic, love affair as something to celebrate rather than regret, I found myself knocked off course in a rather moving and indescribable way.

The Guardian - Books

' The English Patient was a story that investigated different kinds of love - platonic love, love of country, love of exploration - so of course I had to include physical love.

The Guardian - Film

Why else would a grown man make pee over a heavy duty laptop case with plenty of pockets but little that would encourage erotic or even platonic love.

TechCrunch

I deserve romantic love, I deserve familial love, I deserve platonic love, I deserve a community of love.

Huffington Post

But several biographers have claimed that he had a "predilection for the company of young men" and enjoyed platonic love affairs.

Huffington Post

Whether they pull it together for the sake of their kids or are genuinely invested in platonic love, these celebrity exes seem to set the bar for anyone seeking a harmonious breakup.

Huffington Post

Our two unlikely protagonists proclaimed a strong passionate and strictly platonic love for each other at the altar, and here's the best part: While our blushing bride, Madie, is certainly attracted to the opposite sex, our groom, Jesse, is gay.

Huffington Post

The story of Platonic love is, one might say, the story of the Platonizing of Socrates.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: in modern dating, "platonic love" is often used to clarify boundaries, while in literature, it often implies a high, spiritual aspiration.

Common error

Avoid using "platonic love" as a synonym for being 'friendzoned'. While both imply a lack of romance, "platonic love" suggests a mutual, high-value connection, whereas 'friendzone' often implies a one-sided or disappointing outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "platonic love" functions as a noun phrase, consisting of the adjective "platonic" (derived from the philosopher Plato) and the abstract noun "love". According to Ludwig AI, it acts as a specific category of affection within a sentence, often serving as the subject or object to define the nature of a relationship.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "platonic love" is a well-established and grammatically correct English phrase used to describe a powerful, non-sexual bond between individuals. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate that the term is equally at home in philosophical analysis (where it is often capitalized) and modern human-interest stories (where it remains lowercase). It serves as a vital linguistic tool for distinguishing between various forms of intimacy. Whether you are describing a lifelong friendship or a spiritual connection, using this phrase accurately helps convey a sense of depth and mutual respect without the connotations of romantic entanglement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

platonic relationship

Shifts the focus from the emotion to the overall dynamic between two people.

non-sexual affection

Provides a literal, descriptive definition of the term.

pure friendship

Uses simpler, more everyday language to convey the same lack of romantic entanglement.

companionate love

A more clinical or sociological term often used in psychological contexts.

spiritual bond

Emphasizes the soul or metaphysical connection rather than just the lack of physical intimacy.

unromantic intimacy

Explicitly highlights the absence of romance while acknowledging the closeness.

brotherly love

Suggests a familial-like bond, often used between men (or 'sisterly love' between women).

asexual intimacy

A more modern term that categorizes the relationship based on sexual orientation or preference.

soul friendship

A more poetic and evocative alternative often found in literature.

intellectual connection

Focuses specifically on the mental aspect of the relationship rather than the emotional one.

FAQs

What is the difference between "platonic love" and "romantic love"?

The primary difference lies in sexual desire and romantic intent. While romantic love typically involves physical attraction and a desire for a partnership, "platonic love" is characterized by deep affection, respect and spiritual or intellectual connection without sexual elements. You might also consider terms like "companionate love" for stable, long-term bonds.

Should I capitalize "platonic"?

In most modern usage, it is lowercase. However, when referencing the historical philosophy of Plato, "Platonic love" should be capitalized to acknowledge the proper noun origin.

Can "platonic love" exist between people of the opposite sex?

Absolutely. Modern usage often uses the term specifically to describe deep friendships between people who might otherwise be expected to date, emphasizing a "pure friendship" over romance.

What is a more formal way to say "platonic love"?

In academic or psychological writing, you might use "non-sexual intimacy" or "interpersonal devotion" depending on the specific focus of your text.