Word of the Year Announced

The Cambridge Dictionary has summed up the year, choosing the word "parasocial" as the main term defining 2025. This describes a one-sided relationship that a person may feel with a famous personality, although they have never met.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to kp.ru, a striking example of such a connection was the reaction of fans to the engagement of pop star Taylor Swift and American football player Travis Kelce.

Many fans reacted to the news with genuine joy and tears, although they are not personally acquainted with the couple. As dictionary representatives noted, this term has firmly entered everyday use today, reflecting the spirit of the social media era.

Analysts recorded a real surge in requests for the definition of the word "parasocial." According to editor Colin McIntosh, this term has become an excellent example of language evolution. Millions of people around the world are now involved in parasocial relationships with influencers, celebrities, and even AI-based chatbots.

Interestingly, the term itself was born back in 1956, when sociologists from the University of Chicago described how television viewers begin to feel a connection with screen characters similar to relationships with real friends.