Archive · 19 Nov 2025
Cambridge Dictionary's Word of 2025: 'Parasocial'
In 2025, the Cambridge Dictionary chose 'parasocial' as its Word of the Year.
This word describes the one-sided relationships people form with celebrities, influencers, or AI, like feeling connected to Taylor Swift even though you've never met her.
Other new words added include 'skibidi', 'delulu', and 'tradwife', and 'slop' refers to low-quality AI-generated content.
Cambridge Dictionary names 'parasocial' as Word of the Year 2025
Parasocial refers to one-sided relationships with celebrities, influencers, or AI
Interest in such relationships increased in 2025, influencing language trends
Other new words added include 'skibidi', 'delulu', and 'tradwife'
AI-generated content, or 'slop', also gained attention due to its prevalence
- Who
- Cambridge Dictionary
- What
- Named 'parasocial' as Word of the Year 2025
- When
- 2025
- Where
- Not specified
- Why
- To reflect the increasing interest in one-sided relationships with celebrities, influencers, and AI
Proponents of the Term
Critics of the Term
Relevance
Proponents of the Term
Reflects the modern phenomenon of forming connections with celebrities and AI
Critics of the Term
Trivializes genuine human relationships
- Word
- 'Parasocial'
- Definition
- Involving or relating to a connection someone feels with a famous person they don't know
- First Used
- 1956
- Other New Words
- Skibidi, Delulu, Tradwife, Slop
Sources
'Parasocial' Crowned Cambridge Dictionary Word Of 2025: What It Means
‘Parasocial’ Named Cambridge Dictionary’s Word Of 2025
Word Of The Year 2025: Cambridge Dictionary Announces ‘Parasocial’ As Its Top Word; What Does It Mean?
Parasocial is Cambridge Dictionary's 2025 Word of the Year – Here's why
Psychologist believes Cambridge Dictionary’s 2025 Word of the Year — parasocial — highlights ‘real shift in how people form connections today’
‘Parasocial’ declared Cambridge Dictionary’s Word of the Year 2025
In a lonely world, ‘parasocial’ is Cambridge’s ‘Word of the Year’: What this means
Parasocial wins Word of the Year as Cambridge charts our delulu, vibey, AI-driven era
Parasocial is Cambridge dictionary's Word of the Year 2025; delulu, slop among new entrants
