Cambridge Dictionary Selects “Parasocial” as 2025 Word of the Year

Cambridge Dictionary has designated “parasocial” as its Word of the Year for 2025, highlighting the growing public interest in one-sided bonds that people form with public figures, social media personalities, and increasingly, artificial-intelligence chatbots.

Definition and Academic Context

The dictionary describes a parasocial relationship as a sense of familiarity or closeness toward someone who is not personally known to the individual, such as a celebrity, influencer, podcaster, or digital persona. Although the feeling may resemble friendship or even intimacy, communication flows in only one direction. The concept dates to 1956, when University of Chicago sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl observed that television viewers often treated on-screen performers as friends or family members.

Why the Term Resurfaced

Experts in social psychology note that the word has circulated for decades but has gained mainstream traction as social platforms and interactive technologies multiply. With numerous channels offering real-time updates, livestreams, and direct messages, audiences encounter more opportunities to follow high-profile individuals closely and to build personal narratives around them.

Examples from Popular Culture

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift illustrates how parasocial dynamics can develop. Swift’s global following often discusses her music alongside details of her personal life and relationships, fostering emotional attachments that resemble friendships despite no direct interaction. Social media creator Logan Paul presents another case: in 2018, after posting a video that showed a deceased individual in Japan’s Aokigahara forest, Paul faced intense criticism. Many supporters nonetheless defended him, demonstrating the loyalty that parasocial ties can generate, even when content is controversial.

Influence of AI Companions

Beyond human celebrities, artificial-intelligence chatbots are emerging as objects of parasocial connection. A 2025 study by nonprofit organization Common Sense Media surveyed 1,060 U.S. teenagers aged 13 to 17 and found that 72 percent had used an AI companion at least once. Respondents cited reasons ranging from emotional support to simply wanting a “best friend.”

Adults report similar experiences. Research conducted by Vantage Point Counseling among more than 1,000 American adults indicated that 28 percent had engaged in a romantic or intimate relationship with an AI system. Chatbots are programmed to respond promptly and often provide affirming feedback, characteristics that can enhance feelings of closeness.

Psychological Drivers

Researchers attribute the rise of parasocial bonds to two overlapping trends: increased screen time and a widespread sense of loneliness. Mobile devices place celebrity updates, influencer content, and AI conversations within constant reach, requiring only a few taps. At the same time, individuals who feel socially isolated may seek low-effort interactions that supply instant validation. The American Psychological Association has identified loneliness as a significant public-health concern in contemporary society, underlining the conditions that foster these virtual attachments (APA report).

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Potential Risks

Specialists caution that parasocial relationships can expose followers to misinformation or exploitative marketing. Influencers may promote unverified medical advice, endorse ineffective products, or model harmful behaviors. When audiences feel personally connected, they may overlook risks or dismiss critical feedback.

Artificial-intelligence interactions pose additional challenges. Because chatbots are designed to emulate empathy and offer personalized responses, some users may attribute human qualities to algorithms and underestimate the absence of genuine reciprocity. Overreliance on AI companionship could reduce opportunities for face-to-face social engagement, reinforcing isolation rather than alleviating it.

Balancing Online and Offline Connections

Researchers recommend investing time in real-world relationships to counterbalance digital interactions. While following entertainers or conversing with chatbots can provide diversion or temporary comfort, sustained emotional well-being generally depends on mutual, in-person support networks.

Cambridge Dictionary’s selection of “parasocial” as the 2025 Word of the Year reflects how intertwined digital culture and personal identity have become. As technology continues to blur the line between audience and performer, understanding the implications of one-way relationships will likely remain a key topic in psychology, media studies, and public discourse.

Crédito da imagem: Francesco Carta Fotografo | Moment | Getty Images