The Cambridge Dictionary has announced its Word of the Year as “parasocial,” a term that gained prominence following the engagement of pop icon Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce. The dictionary reported a significant increase in the term’s usage on social media, especially after the couple shared their engagement news on August 26, 2025.
The term “parasocial” describes a one-sided relationship that an individual feels they have with a celebrity or fictional character. Following Swift and Kelce’s high-profile engagement announcement, discussions surrounding this concept surged online. The dictionary noted that users posted comments such as “I’m not being parasocial about it,” showcasing how the word has permeated everyday conversations.
According to Colin McIntosh, Chief Editor of Cambridge Dictionary, the word stood out in 2025 due to its rising popularity. He stated, “Public interest in the term increased massively this year, as we can see from our data: the number of searches for it in the Cambridge Dictionary as well as on Google spiked on several occasions.” This phenomenon reflects a broader cultural shift, where a term that originated in academic circles has transitioned into common vernacular.
Impact of Celebrity Culture
The media frenzy around Swift’s engagement to Kelce has further fueled discussions about celebrity culture and its influence on fans. The couple’s joint Instagram post announcing their engagement received over 37 million likes, captivating audiences worldwide. The caption humorously read, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” which resonated with their fanbase and sparked widespread commentary across various social media platforms.
Cambridge Dictionary emphasized that the surge in interest for “parasocial” illustrates a growing fascination with celebrity lifestyles, a trend that continues to dominate popular culture. McIntosh added, “It’s interesting from a language point of view because it has made the transition from an academic term to one used by ordinary people in their social media posts. It also captures the zeitgeist of 2025, as the public’s fascination with celebrities and their lifestyles continues to reach new heights.”
As fans engage with their favorite celebrities in increasingly personal ways, the concept of parasocial relationships offers insight into how social media shapes our perceptions and interactions with public figures. The recognition of this term as Word of the Year highlights the evolving nature of language in the context of modern celebrity culture.
