- Cambridge Dictionary has announced “parasocial” as its Word of the Year for 2025.
- “Parasocial” is defined as a one-sided connection an individual feels with a famous person or public figure they do not personally know.
- The selection reflects the growing trend of such relationships with celebrities, online influencers and artificial intelligence chatbots.
- Experts note that the rise of parasocial relationships has redefined fandom and celebrity, with some forms potentially leading to unhealthy attachments.
- The term, which dates back to 1956, has seen a significant increase in mainstream usage and dictionary lookups.
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