adjective

platonic

pluh-TAHN-ik/pləˈtɑːnɪk/

Affectionate without sexual or romantic involvement.

Their affection is platonic, and neither wants a romantic relationship.

Platonic affection shown through warm camaraderie: two older friends exchange a relaxed side hug at a three-person board-game gathering, including their fellow player in their smiles and attention.

Etymology

Plato’s name anchors the word: Renaissance readers drew on his writings to describe spiritual affection unmixed with sexual desire. That idea underlies today’s sense of affectionate but nonromantic attachment.

In context

SBG Book Club8:27

those can happen in platonic relationships and oftentimes i think we don't think of that closeness as something that we can have in non-sexual or non-romantic relationships

Pleasure Activism Live Discussion (Part One)

More examples

We share a close but strictly platonic friendship.
His feelings for his longtime roommate are entirely platonic.
A platonic hug can offer comfort after a difficult day.

Forms

platonic

Similar words

nonromantic: Excludes romance but does not necessarily imply affection.
friendly: Describes warmth or goodwill without specifying romantic or sexual boundaries.