You know that feeling when you binge-watch a show or listen to an artist so much that they start to feel oddly familiar—almost like someone you could hang out with in real life?
That strange but common experience is becoming such a big part of modern culture that Cambridge Dictionary has crowned “parasocial” as its word of the year for 2025.
Why “Parasocial” Took Center Stage
Instead of referring to real-life friendships, “parasocial” describes the emotional bond someone feels with a famous figure they’ve never met.
It’s the kind of connection that makes fans tear up when celebrities like Taylor Swift and American football star Travis Kelce announced their engagement earlier this year.
Even though most supporters have never been within a mile of them, the reactions felt personal and heartfelt.
A Year of New Words and Viral Language
Cambridge Dictionary hasn’t only spotlighted “parasocial”—it has added around 6,000 new terms this year.
Words like “delulu” (a playful take on “delusional”), the nonsense internet sound “skibidi,” and “tradwife” (short for traditional wife) all made the cut.
On top of that, the rise of low-quality online content popularised the slang “slop,” often used to describe poorly made posts, especially those created by AI.
Another newcomer, “memeify,” captures the growing habit of turning moments, photos, or people into viral memes that spread like wildfire across the internet.
Parasocial Bonds Beyond Celebrities
What makes “parasocial” especially relevant today is how these one-sided relationships extend far beyond movie stars or musicians.
Psychologists note that people now form similar bonds with influencers and even AI chatbots.
This shift has changed the way fandom works—and how people interact with digital personalities on a daily basis.
Language Experts Explain the Trend
According to Colin McIntosh from Cambridge Dictionary, the surge in searches for “parasocial” shows how deeply the idea fits the culture of 2025.
A term that was once tucked away in academic research has now become mainstream as millions of people experience these lopsided emotional connections.
He points out that language surrounding parasocial behavior is evolving quickly, shaped by changes in technology, online culture, and society.
From Hollywood icons to digital assistants, these relationships reveal how people’s sense of connection is shifting in a hyper-digital era.
Where the Term Originally Came From
Interestingly, “parasocial” isn’t new at all.
It dates back to 1956 when University of Chicago sociologists noticed that TV viewers treated on-screen personalities as if they were familiar friends or relatives.
With television bringing entertainers directly into living rooms, audiences began forming attachments that felt surprisingly real.
The Psychology Behind the Word of the Year
Simone Schnall, an experimental social psychology professor at the University of Cambridge, calls “parasocial” a brilliant choice.
She explains that these relationships now influence everything from celebrity culture to how everyday people interact with influencers and AI.
Schnall warns that many online users—especially young people—can slip into unhealthy versions of these bonds.
Some viewers feel they “know” influencers, trust them deeply, or even feel a sense of loyalty similar to what they’d show a close friend.
Sometimes, she says, influencers with massive followings automatically appear more trustworthy simply because of their popularity.
When Fandom Looks Healthy—and When It Doesn’t
There’s also a more balanced side to parasocial relationships.
Fans who admire artists like Taylor Swift often form emotional attachments because of genuine appreciation for their talent.
Still, even this version can tip into obsessive territory, leading to endless lyric breakdowns and intense debates about what every word might mean for Swift—or for fans themselves.
Parasocial Bonds and the Role of Artificial Intelligence
What makes the conversation even more complex is that many people now treat AI tools—such as ChatGPT—as companions.
Some users seek comfort, encouragement, or even therapeutic support from these systems.
In reality, though, these interactions only mimic the feeling of a relationship, and psychologists warn that this illusion can encourage groupthink or emotional dependence.
Looking Back at Past Words of the Year
Cambridge Dictionary has highlighted several culturally significant words in recent years, including “manifest” (the practice of envisioning goals), “brat” (inspired by Charli XCX’s viral album), and “hallucinate” (referring to AI generating incorrect information).
What Comes After “Parasocial”?
Language always evolves alongside society, and with the digital world expanding faster than ever, new expressions are bound to emerge.
With technology reshaping how people connect, share, and relate, the next big word might be just around the corner.
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