Platonic attraction is a form of attraction. It is defined as the desire to form a close platonic relationship (friendship) with a specific person, or to form a closer friendship with someone one already knows. The type of friendship desired typically goes beyond casual friends and revolves around a willingness to engage in a very deep symbiotic friendship, and sharing interests and experiences. Examples of some of the different ways the term is used include:
- Emotional attraction that is not romantic
- Physical attraction that is not sexual
- Any attraction that is not romantic or sexual[1]
Platonic attraction can be considered a parent category or overlapping category with queerplatonic attraction. For some people these categories made be difference, for other people these types of attraction overlap and they do not make any distinction between them.
The term "squish" has sometimes been used as an informal synonym for platonic attraction.[2][3] People who do not get squishes might call themselves aplatonic.
Platonic attraction is not simply "the desire to have friends". Rather it is an intense desire to be close friends with someone specific. One might feel intimidated or flustered when around this specific person.