The Cambridge Dictionary has selected “parasocial” as its Word of the Year for 2025, highlighting a growing global trend where people feel emotionally connected to celebrities, influencers, and even AI tools that do not know them personally. Lexicographers said the word gained strong relevance as digital culture continues to reshape how people form relationships.
“Parasocial” refers to the one-sided bond people build with a public figure they have never met. Although the term was first introduced in 1956 by University of Chicago sociologists studying TV viewers, experts say it has taken on a deeper meaning in the age of social media, livestreaming, and online fandoms. The trend is especially visible among fans of stars like Taylor Swift and Lily Allen.
Cambridge also noted the strong influence of artificial intelligence on modern language. The dictionary updated the meaning of “slop” to describe poor-quality AI-generated content spreading across the internet. Over the past year, Cambridge added more than 6,000 new words, many of which originate from online culture and digital communities.
New entries include “skibidi,” used humorously without a fixed meaning; “delulu,” a playful word for someone being delusional in a fun way; and “tradwife,” referring to women promoting traditional home-based roles such as cooking and housekeeping.
Colin McIntosh, a lexicographer at Cambridge, said that only expressions with lasting impact are added to the dictionary. He described the rapid influence of internet trends on language as “fascinating to observe.”
Simone Schnall, a psychology professor at the University of Cambridge, called the choice of “parasocial” an important reflection of modern behaviour. She noted that people are increasingly forming intense and sometimes unhealthy parasocial relationships with influencers online. She added that the rise of AI chatbots has added a new layer, with many users treating tools like ChatGPT as emotional companions or sources of comfort.
Experts say the growing use of the word shows how digital life, fandoms, and AI are shaping not just communication but also emotional connections in the modern world.
