friend zone

• friendzone, friend-zone

From friend +‎ zone. Popularized by a 1994 episode of the American sitcom Friends entitled “The One with the Blackout”.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈfɹɛnd zəʊn/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈfɹɛnd zoʊn/

friend zone (plural friend zones)

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

     Every platonic friend I got is some woman I was tryin' to fuck, 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.

• romance zone

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

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

• friendzoner

• LJBF