Emotional Attraction

Emotional attraction is the pull toward emotional closeness, connection, and intimacy with a particular person. It is one of several types of attraction people describe, separate from sexual attraction (the desire for sexual contact) and romantic attraction (the desire for a romantic relationship). Naming it on its own is especially useful for people on the asexual and aromantic spectrums, who may feel strong emotional bonds without matching sexual or romantic feelings. The concept also helps describe queerplatonic and alterous relationships, where a connection is intense and central but does not fit neatly into friendship or romance. Understanding attraction as layered lets people say more precisely what kind of closeness they want.