According to the Cambridge dictionary, "parasocial" became the word of 2025

The Cambridge Dictionary called the adjective "parasocial" the word of the year. It refers to a relationship in which a person feels a connection between themselves and a celebrity whom they personally do not know.

As examples of parasitic relationships, experts cite fans' interest in Taylor Swift's romance or Lily Allen's latest album, which reveals the story of her divorce.

Editors of the Cambridge Dictionary also noted the emergence of parasitic relationships with AI bots, whom people often see as trusted people, friends, or romantic partners.

This term appeared as early as 1956. American sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wahl of the University of Chicago studied the "parasocial" relationships of television viewers with characters on screen.