The prestigious Cambridge Dictionary has officially declared its Word of the Year for 2025, selecting the term 'parasocial' to reflect a significant modern social trend.
This announcement was made public on Tuesday 18 November 2025, cementing the word's journey from academic obscurity into the public lexicon.
What Does 'Parasocial' Mean?
The dictionary defines a parasocial connection as a one-sided relationship where an individual feels a bond with a famous person, online influencer, or even an artificial intelligence chatbot, despite having no personal acquaintance with them.
This phenomenon is increasingly common in today's digital age, where constant access to celebrities' lives via social media blurs the line between fan and friend.
From Academic Concept to Mainstream Reality
While the concept might seem like a product of the internet era, the term itself has a much longer history. It originated in 1956 within academic circles, used by sociologists to describe audience relationships with media figures.
Its recent surge into everyday language is evidenced by a notable increase in lookups on the Cambridge Dictionary website, prompting its selection as Word of the Year.
Experts are weighing in on the implications of this trend. Professor Simone Schnall, a contributor to the dictionary's analysis, notes that these parasocial bonds are actively redefining the nature of fandom.
She and other commentators point out that while these relationships can provide a sense of community and belonging, they also have the potential to foster intense and sometimes unhealthy attachments.
The selection of 'parasocial' underscores a broader cultural shift, highlighting how our interactions with public figures and technology are evolving in an increasingly connected world.
