Cambridge Dictionary Names 'Parasocial' as 2025 Word of the Year

The Cambridge Dictionary has selected 'parasocial' as its Word of the Year for 2025, highlighting a growing cultural focus on one-sided relationships. The term, first coined in 1956, describes the sense of connection an individual feels with a celebrity, influencer, or public figure whom they do not know personally. The choice reflects the increasing prevalence of these bonds in the digital age, which now extend not only to pop stars but also to AI chatbots and online personalities.