Cambridge Dictionary Names 'Parasocial' as Word of the Year 2025: Understanding Our Virtual Connections

Parasocial term dates back to 1956 (Representational)

Have you ever experienced a profound connection with celebrities like Taylor Swift or Lily Allen despite never meeting them personally?

If so, your experience is considered "parasocial," which has just been named the Cambridge Dictionary's word of the year for 2025.

Lexicographers selected this term during a year characterized by growing interest in the one-sided relationships people develop with celebrities, social media influencers, and even AI chatbots.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines parasocial as "involving or relating to a connection that someone feels between themselves and a famous person they do not know."

This concept originated in 1956 when two University of Chicago sociologists observed television viewers forming parasocial relationships with TV personalities, treating them similarly to close friends or family members.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, "slop" has received an updated definition, now describing low-quality AI-generated content flooding the internet.

New additions to the Cambridge Dictionary included trendy terms like "skibidi," "delulu," and "tradwife."

These were among "6,212 new words, phrases and meanings" incorporated into the online dictionary over the past year.

According to lexicographer Colin McIntosh, the dictionary only adds words believed to have "staying power."

"Internet culture is changing the English language and the effect is fascinating to observe and capture in the dictionary," he explained.

The slang term "skibidi" carries various meanings including cool or bad, but can also be used without specific meaning or as a joke in phrases like: "What the skibidi are you doing?"

"Delulu" represents a playful variation of the word delusional.

"Tradwife" abbreviates traditional wife, referring to a "married woman, especially one who posts on social media, who stays at home doing cooking, cleaning."

Simone Schnall, professor of experimental social psychology at the University of Cambridge, praised parasocial as an "inspired" choice.

"We've entered an age where many people form unhealthy and intense parasocial relationships with influencers.

"Parasocial trends take on a new dimension as many people treat AI tools like ChatGPT as 'friends', offering positive affirmations, or as a proxy for therapy," he added.