The Cambridge Dictionary has announced its Word of the Year for 2025, choosing the term “parasocial” in connection with the recent engagement of singer Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce. The dictionary observed a significant increase in the term’s usage following the couple’s announcement on social media on August 26, 2025. Their engagement post, which described a whimsical proposal, captured widespread attention, leading to a surge in searches for the word.
The term “parasocial” describes the one-sided relationship individuals often feel with celebrities, fictional characters, or other public figures. Although it has been in use since the 1950s, its recent spike in popularity reflects a growing fascination with celebrity culture. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the engagement news prompted a notable increase in lookups of the term as media outlets analyzed the public’s reactions. Fans expressed their thoughts online, with comments such as, “I’m not being parasocial about it,” highlighting the term’s relevance in contemporary discussions.
In a statement, Colin McIntosh, Chief Editor of Cambridge Dictionary, elaborated on the term’s significance in 2025. He noted, “Parasocial stood out this year for several reasons. Public interest in the term increased massively, 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.” He pointed out the transition of “parasocial” from an academic term to one commonly used in everyday social media interactions, emphasizing how it captures the cultural zeitgeist of the year.
The engagement announcement post shared by Swift and Kelce attracted over 37 million likes, further underscoring the public’s interest in their relationship. The caption, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” added a playful touch that resonated with fans. Discussions about their relationship milestone exploded across various social media platforms, showcasing the couple’s significant impact on popular culture.
The rise of the term “parasocial” highlights not only the evolving nature of language but also the increasing connection individuals feel towards celebrities in an age dominated by social media. As public interest in celebrity lifestyles continues to grow, language adapts to reflect these changes, making terms like “parasocial” essential in understanding modern relationships between fans and public figures.
In conclusion, the recognition of “parasocial” as Cambridge Dictionary’s Word of the Year illustrates a broader trend of how celebrity engagement can shape language and cultural discussions. As people navigate their feelings of connection to public figures, words like “parasocial” become integral to the conversation.
