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Cambridge Dictionary names 'parasocial' as 2025 Word of the Year
The term parasocial-describing one-sided emotional connections between individuals and public figures-has been crowned Cambridge Dictionary's Word of the Year for 2025, reflecting its rising prominence in digital culture.
Definition and modern usage
Defined as a relationship where one party, typically a fan, feels a deep bond with a celebrity or media personality they do not know, the concept has gained traction amid the rise of social media and influencer culture. The dictionary cited recent high-profile examples, including the public fascination with singer Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce following their engagement announcement.
Other cases include musician Lily Allen's album West End Girl, which explored themes of parasocial interest in her personal life, and the growing phenomenon of users forming emotional attachments to AI chatbots, treating them as confidants or romantic partners.
Origins and academic roots
First coined in 1956 by University of Chicago sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl, the term originally described how television viewers developed quasi-intimate bonds with on-screen personalities, mirroring real-life friendships. The researchers observed that TV's ubiquity in households fostered these one-sided connections, embedding media figures into daily routines.
For decades, parasocial remained confined to academic discourse. Colin McIntosh, the dictionary's chief editor, noted its recent shift into mainstream lexicon, driven by platforms like YouTube and podcasts, where creators cultivate confessional, friend-like rapport with audiences.
Cultural impact and controversies
The word surged in searches after YouTuber IShowSpeed publicly blocked an obsessive fan, labeling them his "number 1 parasocial." The incident underscored the darker side of parasocial dynamics, where boundaries between fandom and intrusion blur.
Senior editor Jessica Rundell emphasized the dictionary's role in documenting linguistic evolution, not judging its merits: "We track whether a word stands the test of time and resonates widely-parasocial clearly does."
Broader linguistic trends
Among other 2025 additions to the Cambridge Dictionary were skibidi (a viral internet slang term), delulu (short for "delusional"), and tradwife (a traditionalist homemaker ideology). The selections highlight how digital communication and subcultures continue to reshape language.
