By Admin 
Like every year, the famous English dictionary Cambridge Dictionary has come up with its Word of the Year 2025 this year too. This time the word that has made its place is ‘parasocial’. This word describes a special kind of emotional habit that is rapidly growing in today’s social media world. Where people start feeling a one-sided relationship with their favorite celebrities, social media influencers or even AI chatbots. This relationship does not exist in the real world, but a deep connection remains in the mind.
If you ever see any actor, singer, YouTuber or any character and feel that they understand you, or you see them as close to you, then this is a ‘parasocial’ behavior. In view of this growing trend, Cambridge Dictionary has declared this word as the most special word of the year.
Why was the word ‘parasocial’ chosen?
Social media has made a big place in people’s lives. Instagram, YouTube, Reels and Vlog have now become a part of people’s daily routine. Millions of people follow their favorite influencers, watching their every post, every update and every little thing with great attention.
Many people start considering a celebrity as their family. It seems as if he knows them and understands them. But in reality this relationship is only one-sided. This one-sided relationship is called parasocial relationship.
Cambridge Dictionary said that this year the discussion of this type of connection has increased a lot in social media. People have started connecting with the lives of their favorite celebrities so deeply that it has taken the form of a big social trend. For this reason the word ‘parasocial’ was chosen as the word of the year.
What does ‘parasocial’ mean?
‘Parasocial’ means a relationship in which there is a lot of emotion, but that relationship is only from your side. In this, you start considering your favorite actors or influencers as your friends or close ones. Become very attached to their life. Feel their sorrows and happiness. But they are not even aware of your presence. Still, this emotional relationship leaves a deep impact on your mind like a real relationship.
When was the word ‘parasocial’ used for the first time?
This word is not new. Its history is quite old. In 1956, two sociologists from the University of Chicago used the word ‘parasocial’ for the first time. TV was new at that time and researchers noticed that people watching TV felt an emotional connection with the celebrities appearing on the screen. Many people wanted to be like him, dress like him or talk like him. This connection later came to be known as ‘parasocial relationship’. Today the same relationship has increased manifold due to social media.
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