what are platonic friends

A platonic friendship is a close friendship between two people who are not dating or having sex. It is a meaningful relationship between two or more people without any sexual or romantic feelings or behavior involved. Platonic friends may think of each other outside of a committed partnership and enjoy a connection where they do activities together, talk about their lives, or partake in affectionate, friendly actions like hugging. Examples could include a friendship between two gay men, two gay women, or a heterosexual man and a heterosexual woman. A platonic friendship can be very close and meaningful, but it does not have a romantic element. It is important to note that any type of romantic behavior being present in the relationship can move it into the friends-with-benefits or relationship territory. Platonic friendships offer consistent support from another person, and they are one of the most important types of connections we can have.