A new word has been named the Cambridge Dictionary’s Word of the Year 2025: ‘parasocial’. This term describes a connection people feel with famous people, characters in media, or artificial intelligence that they don’t know personally.
According to experts, parasocial relationships have become increasingly popular and widespread. Professor Simone Schnall from the University of Cambridge says this phenomenon has changed how we interact with celebrities, influencers, and AI chatbots online.
In the past, sociologists observed similar connections with on-screen personalities in 1956, when TV brought actors into viewers’ homes. Now, millions of people are engaging in these one-sided relationships, feeling like they know and trust the people they’re connected to.
The term ‘parasocial’ has become mainstream, reflecting changes in language and online behavior. With the rise of social media and AI, it’s now common for people to form intense and unhealthy bonds with influencers, leading to a sense of loyalty and connection that’s not reciprocal.
Parasocial relationships are becoming more normalized, and the term ‘parasocial’ has become synonymous with our modern online experiences.
Source: https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/cambridge-dictionary-reveals-word-of-the-year-2025