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

COLOMBO (News 1st); In a year dominated by virtual intimacy and AI companionship, the Cambridge Dictionary has declared “parasocial” its Word of the Year for 2025.

The term, defined as “involving or relating to a connection that someone feels between themselves and a famous person they do not know, a character in a book, film, TV series, etc., or an artificial intelligence,” perfectly captures the zeitgeist of modern relationships.

The rise of parasocial connections isn’t new, but 2025 marked a turning point.

Social media platforms have blurred the lines between celebrity and fan, creating an illusion of closeness that feels real—yet remains one-sided. Add to that the explosive growth of AI chatbots with human-like personalities, and the concept of parasocial relationships has expanded beyond influencers and fictional characters to include artificial intelligence.

The word’s popularity surged dramatically on June 30, 2025, when YouTube sensation IShowSpeed blocked a fan who called herself his “number 1 parasocial.” Her emotional plea to be unblocked went viral, sparking heated debates about the ethics of influencer-fan dynamics.

Lookups of “parasocial” on Cambridge Dictionary skyrocketed that day.

But the trend didn’t stop there. Throughout the summer, headlines focused on Meta and OpenAI, as experts warned about the psychological impact of AI companions on children and mental health.

By September, Cambridge updated its definition to explicitly include relationships with AI—a sign of how deeply technology is reshaping human connection.

From celebrity crushes to chatbot confidants, parasocial relationships are no longer fringe phenomena—they’re mainstream. And as marketers, influencers, and tech giants navigate this new emotional economy, the question remains: Are these bonds harmless, or do they come with hidden costs?