friend zone
noun
variants
or less commonly friendzone
: a state of friendship in which one's romantic or sexual interest in someone is not reciprocated
Is it possible to go from friend zone to romance with one of your guy friends if you've only ever been platonic?—
Ky Henderson
Ky Henderson… the teen romance based on Stephenie Meyer's bestselling Twilight books about the love triangle between a girl from a broken home, an overprotective vampire who has intimacy issues and an amorous werewolf stuck in the friend zone.—Neil Strauss
Neil StraussExamples of friend zone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The friend zone trope suggests that the lovelorn are trapped in the cold shadow of platonic feelings.
—Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2025
That will protect the intimate connection and prevent your partner from ending up in the friend zone.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 14 Feb. 2025
Teens want movies and shows to stay in the friend zone.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 24 Oct. 2024
As tumultuous as his romantic life may have been, the friend zone was rock solid for the firefighter, with Eddie welcoming the news that Buck (Oliver Stark) is dating their friend Tommy (Lou Ferigno Jr.).
—Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2024
Our inescapable conclusion is that the target of this pitch is being snowed by an acquaintance hoping to climb out of the friend zone for a bout of hanky-panky before moving on.
—Tom Zoellner, SPIN, 21 Feb. 2024
Natalie and Collins are still not touching each other and are firmly in the friend zone.
—Alexandra Koster, refinery29.com, 5 Feb. 2024
Eighteen years after Amy Smart and Ryan Reynolds exited the friend zone in 2005 rom com Just Friends, the co-stars have reunited for an ad for Reynolds’ Aviation American Gin.
—Carita Rizzo, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023
It’s been long confirmed that the upcoming season will follow the budding romance between Penelope and Colin, who has kept her in the friend zone for years.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023
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.
Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2025
That will protect the intimate connection and prevent your partner from ending up in the friend zone.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 14 Feb. 2025
Teens want movies and shows to stay in the friend zone.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 24 Oct. 2024
As tumultuous as his romantic life may have been, the friend zone was rock solid for the firefighter, with Eddie welcoming the news that Buck (Oliver Stark) is dating their friend Tommy (Lou Ferigno Jr.).
—Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2024
Our inescapable conclusion is that the target of this pitch is being snowed by an acquaintance hoping to climb out of the friend zone for a bout of hanky-panky before moving on.
—Tom Zoellner, SPIN, 21 Feb. 2024
Natalie and Collins are still not touching each other and are firmly in the friend zone.
—Alexandra Koster, refinery29.com, 5 Feb. 2024
Eighteen years after Amy Smart and Ryan Reynolds exited the friend zone in 2005 rom com Just Friends, the co-stars have reunited for an ad for Reynolds’ Aviation American Gin.
—Carita Rizzo, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023
It’s been long confirmed that the upcoming season will follow the budding romance between Penelope and Colin, who has kept her in the friend zone for years.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Friend zone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/friend%20zone. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share