Aromantic - meaning and definition
Alsoaroaromanticismaro spectrum
Definition
Describes a person who experiences little or no romantic attraction. Aromantic people may still value close friendships, family and sometimes sexual relationships.
At a glance
- Describes little or no romantic attraction.
- Separate from sexual orientation, so an aromantic person can be of any sexual orientation.
- Does not mean being cold or unable to love.
- Many aromantic people value deep friendships and queerplatonic relationships.
- Often shortened to aro, and has its own spectrum.
In detail
Aromantic people do not usually feel the pull to fall in love or have a romantic partnership in the conventional sense. This does not mean they are cold or unable to love; many have deep and committed platonic or queerplatonic relationships.
Aromanticism is separate from sexual orientation. An aromantic person can be asexual, bisexual, straight or any other orientation. Like asexuality, it has its own spectrum.
In a sentence
- I'm aro, so my closest relationships are with my friends rather than a romantic partner.
- Being aromantic doesn't mean I don't care about people, it just means I don't fall in love.
Where the word comes from
Formed from the Greek prefix a- (without) and romantic. It came into use in online asexual and aromantic communities alongside the wider vocabulary for romantic orientation.
Common questions
Can aromantic people love?
Yes. Aromantic people love friends, family and community, and many have committed platonic or queerplatonic partnerships. What is usually absent is romantic attraction, not care or affection.
Can someone be aromantic but not asexual?
Yes. Romantic and sexual orientation are separate. An aromantic person can be asexual, bisexual, straight, gay or any other orientation.