platonic love

noun

often capitalized P

: love conceived by Plato as ascending from passion for the individual to contemplation of the universal and ideal

: a close relationship between two persons in which sexual desire is nonexistent or has been suppressed or sublimated

Examples of platonic love in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

To some, celebrating platonic love with pink and red paraphernalia and gatherings among friends might seem silly. —

Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025 So, leave your SOs at home and gather the gals and other platonic loves for an evening full of bubbly spritzes and heartfelt memories. —

Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2025 According to BetterHelp, platonic love is built on trust, mutual care and emotional intimacy. —

Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024 Red panties are said to bring passion and love, while pink brings platonic love. —

Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for platonic love

Word History

First Known Use

1631, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of platonic love was in 1631

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Platonic love.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platonic%20love. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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