Cambridge Dictionary has selected parasocial as its Word of the Year 2025, reflecting the rising relevance of one-sided emotional attachments to celebrities, fictional characters, and AI. Searches for the term surged multiple times during the year, notably after a viral incident where streamer IShowSpeed blocked a fan calling herself his “number 1 parasocial”. Public concern also grew over chatbot interactions, prompting a definition update in September to include AI.
Editor Colin McIntosh said parasocial “made the shift from academic term to everyday use” as AI companions and influencer culture blended in 2025 headlines.
So…:
What new words have you come across, and what do they reveal about the times we live in?
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