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Explainer: Parasocial, word that defines 2025

Cambridge Dictionary’s choice for Word of the Year follows a spike in the lookups

Seema Sachdeva

Updated At : 07:46 AM Nov 23, 2025 IST

Shaped by digital intimacy, social media users today are forming illusory connections with celebrities, influencers, fictional characters, and even AI companions. Istock

ON August 26, American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift took to Instagram to announce her engagement to footballer Travis Kelce — “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married”. The moment created a global frenzy, with millions of fans reacting as though a close friend had shared life-changing news. The emotional outpour led to Cambridge Dictionary declaring ‘parasocial’ as the Word of the Year for 2025.

The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising five eminent persons as trustees.

The Tribune, the largest selling English daily in North India, publishes news and views without any bias or prejudice of any kind. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the newspaper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.

The Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).

Remembering Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia

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Explainer: Parasocial, word that defines 2025

Cambridge Dictionary’s choice for Word of the Year follows a spike in the lookups

Seema Sachdeva

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