The Cambridge Dictionary has chosen the word of the year: what are parasocial relationships

The Cambridge Dictionary has summarized the year and identified the term 'parasocial' as the main word for 2025. This concept describes a one-sided emotional connection that a person feels towards a public figure, despite having no personal acquaintance with them. According to a report by Glavkom referencing CNN, millions of fans empathize with or celebrate the news of pop star Taylor Swift's engagement to NFL player Travis Kelce, even though they have no contact with them.

Editor Colin Mackintosh noted that the term 'parasocial' has gained significant popularity in searches and is a vivid example of the evolution of language. He remarked that millions of people around the world have formed parasocial connections with influencers, celebrities, or even AI-powered chatbots.

The term 'parasocial' emerged in 1956 when sociologists from the University of Chicago described the phenomenon where television viewers begin to feel a connection with on-screen characters akin to relationships with friends. In today’s world of social media and content access, this term has gained global prevalence.

Let’s remember the word of the year according to Collins

Another significant event was the selection of the term 'vibe coding' as the word of the year according to Collins. This concept reflects a new era in technology, where artificial intelligence and human language combine in a collaborative creative interaction.