English

Alternative forms

• friendzone
• friend-zone

Noun

friend zone ‎(uncountable)

1. (slang) The situation in which one is viewed by a potential partner as a platonic friend, precluding the possibility of a romantic relationship.
   • 1996, Chris Rock, Chris Rock: Bring the Pain (appox. 42 minutes)

     Every platonic friend I got is some woman I was tryin' to ****, I made a wrong turn somewhere, and ended up in the friend zone.

   • 2003, Dan Indante, Karl Marks, The Complete A**hole's Guide to Handling Chicks

     Clearly, it is critical that you stay out of the friend zone.

   • 2004, Tony Clink, Bret Witter, The layguide

     But, even after such a promising start, a lot of guys let their encounters degenerate into . . . the dreaded Friend Zone.

   • 2005, Terry Dennis, The Manual

     Once in a while, you will find yourself stuck in the friend zone. Don't panic, you are not alone.

   • 2007, Helen Salter, Does Snogging Count as Exercise?

     "Stuck in the Friend Zone," said Sasha wisely, although I don't think she's dipped a toe in the Friend Zone in her life.

Verb

friend zone ‎(third-person singular simple present friend zones, present participle friend zoning, simple past and past participle friend zoned)

1. (slang) To classify (someone) as a friend, but without any possibility of a romantic relationship.

Derived terms

• friendzoned