The Cambridge Dictionary has officially declared 'parasocial' as its Word of the Year for 2025, cementing a term that describes the modern, one-sided connections millions form with celebrities and online personalities they have never met.
What Does Parasocial Mean?
Defined as 'involving or relating to a connection that someone feels between themselves and a famous person they do not know', the word has surged in lookups on the dictionary's website. This reflects a growing public fascination with and participation in these asymmetrical relationships.
The concept isn't entirely new, however. It first emerged in 1956 when sociologists at the University of Chicago identified how television viewers formed 'para-social' bonds with on-screen personalities, mirroring real-life friendships but without the reciprocity.
The Digital Age Amplifies Parasocial Trends
While the idea is decades old, the internet and social media have propelled it into the mainstream. Colin McIntosh, a Cambridge Dictionary editor, stated that 'Parasocial captures the 2025 zeitgeist,' with data showing significant spikes in searches for the term.
The dictionary pointed to several key 'parasocial moments' from the past year, including intense public interest in Taylor Swift's engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce and the deeply personal reaction to Lily Allen's breakup album, 'West End Girl'.
Furthermore, the rise of AI chatbots has added a new dimension. These tools are increasingly being treated as confidants, friends, or even romantic partners, creating a new frontier for parasocial interaction.
The Psychological Impact and Risks
According to Professor Simone Schnall, an expert in experimental social psychology at the University of Cambridge, these relationships have 'redefined fandom, celebrity and, with AI, how ordinary people interact online.'
She noted that as trust in traditional media erodes, people are turning to influencers, which can sometimes foster 'unhealthy and intense relationships'. Similarly, parasocial ties with major celebrities can lead to obsessive analysis of their every move, from song lyrics to social media posts.
Young people are considered particularly susceptible, especially when engaging with AI that offers the illusion of a genuine, responsive friendship.
The dictionary also updated its entries with several AI-related terms this year, including 'slop' for low-quality, mass-produced AI content and 'memeify' for the act of rapidly turning an image into a popular internet meme.
