The Cambridge Dictionary has declared “parasocial” as its Word of the Year for 2025, a term that gained significant traction following the engagement announcement of celebrities Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. The term refers to the one-sided emotional connections that individuals feel toward public figures, such as celebrities or fictional characters, and its usage surged after the couple shared their engagement on August 26, 2025.
The engagement announcement, made via a joint Instagram post, captivated millions and drew attention to the concept of parasocial relationships. The post received over 37 million likes and featured a playful caption: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.” This announcement not only highlighted their relationship but also sparked discussions about the nature of fandom and emotional investment in celebrity culture.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the rise in searches for “parasocial” can be directly attributed to the media coverage surrounding Swift and Kelce’s engagement. The dictionary noted that fans actively discussed their feelings online, with many stating, “I’m not being parasocial about it,” while others described their engagement with the couple’s story as “a Swiftie being parasocial for 10 minutes straight.”
Colin McIntosh, Chief Editor at Cambridge Dictionary, commented on the notable surge in the term’s popularity. He explained that 2025 saw a massive increase in public interest, reflected in both dictionary lookups and Google searches. “Parasocial stood out in 2025 for several reasons. Public interest in the term increased massively this year, as we can see from our data,” he stated.
The term “parasocial” has existed since the 1950s, primarily in academic contexts. McIntosh emphasized the shift in its usage, noting, “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.” This reflects broader cultural trends, as society’s fascination with celebrity lifestyles continues to evolve.
The engagement of Swift and Kelce, who have become prominent figures in their respective fields, has not only brought joy to their fans but also highlighted the complex dynamics of modern celebrity culture. The excitement surrounding their engagement illustrates how interpersonal connections, even those that are one-sided, can have profound implications in the digital age.
As public interest in celebrity relationships grows, the concept of parasociality will likely continue to resonate. The recognition of this term as Word of the Year serves as a testament to the changing landscape of social interaction and the ways in which fans engage with the lives of their favorite personalities.
