“Parasocial” Named Cambridge Dictionary’s 2025 Word of the Year
The Cambridge Dictionary has crowned “parasocial” as its 2025 Word of the Year — a choice driven by a rising fascination with one-sided relationships between fans, celebrities and even AI systems.
The word describes a connection someone feels with a person they’ve never met, whether it’s a global pop star or a chatbot. It’s not new — the term was introduced in 1956 by sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl — but it has surged back into the spotlight as modern media blurs lines between real relationships and imagined closeness.
Editors say interest skyrocketed whenever public moments sparked emotional reactions from fans. One example the dictionary highlights is the engagement of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, which prompted waves of personal investment from people who don’t actually know the couple. Lily Allen’s album West End Girl was another example, as it encouraged listeners to dive into the details of her personal life.
Cambridge’s chief editor Colin McIntosh said the word has shifted from academic jargon to everyday language, noting it describes “a type of relationship, between a person and a non-person, for example a celebrity.” He added that internet culture has accelerated how quickly such terms move into common use.
The dictionary also points to the growing number of people treating AI bots as companions. Some users have begun confiding in them, leaning on them for emotional support, or even imagining romantic bonds — creating a new category of parasocial attachment.
Senior editor Jessica Rundell explained that the dictionary isn’t judging whether a word is “good” or “bad,” saying, “We’re not here to judge what’s a good word, what’s a bad word… it’s more if it stands the test of time and if people are using it all over place.”
Psychologist Simone Schnall called the choice “inspired,” saying we’ve “entered an age where many people form unhealthy and intense parasocial relationships with influencers.” She also noted that treating AI tools like friends adds another dimension to the trend.
Alongside the Word of the Year, Cambridge added over 6,000 new terms and meanings. New entries include popular slang like skibidi, delulu, and tradwife, as well as internet-era language such as slop, referring to low-quality AI-generated content.
With technology continuing to shape how people connect, editors say parasocial relationships now play a major role in how fans experience culture — and even how they understand themselves.
