Cambridge Dictionary has named “parasocial” its Word of the Year, a title that reflects a significant surge in the term’s usage following the engagement announcement of pop star Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce. The couple revealed their engagement on August 26, 2025, through a widely shared social media post that captured the public’s imagination.
Understanding Parasocial Connections
The term “parasocial” describes the one-sided relationships that individuals often feel they have with public figures, including celebrities and fictional characters. While the word has been in use since the 1950s, its recent surge in popularity correlates directly with the media frenzy surrounding Swift and Kelce’s relationship.
In a statement, Colin McIntosh, Chief Editor of Cambridge Dictionary, explained the phenomenon: “Global coverage of the way in which Taylor Swift announced her engagement to Travis Kelce caused lookups of parasocial to surge as the media dissected fans’ reactions.” He noted that social media was buzzing with phrases like, “I’m not being parasocial about it,” underscoring how the term has permeated everyday conversations.
The Impact of Swift and Kelce’s Engagement
The engagement announcement generated significant engagement online, with their joint Instagram post receiving over 37 million likes. The caption, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” resonated widely and prompted extensive discussion among fans across various platforms.
McIntosh highlighted the transition of “parasocial” from an academic term to one commonly used in social media discourse. He remarked, “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 shift reflects the evolving landscape of language in the context of celebrity culture.
As public interest in celebrity lifestyles continues to grow, the recognition of “parasocial” as Word of the Year serves not only as a linguistic milestone but also as a cultural commentary on the nature of modern relationships between fans and public figures. The fascination with celebrities, as demonstrated by the engagement of Swift and Kelce, captures the zeitgeist of 2025, indicating a broader trend in media consumption and social interaction.
