parasocial

[par-uh-soh-shuhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to the connection or imagined connection between a regular person and a fictional character, celebrity, or other public figure: Fans naturally project their values into parasocial relationships, but they are bound to be disappointed one day when their idols aren't who they’ve built them up to be.

   Part of having a favorite TV show is the parasocial interaction that you get with the characters you come to know.

   Fans naturally project their values into parasocial relationships, but they are bound to be disappointed one day when their idols aren't who they’ve built them up to be.

Word History and Origins

Origin of parasocial¹

First recorded in 1960–65; para- ¹ ( def. ) + social ( def. )

Example Sentences

We often find celebrities’ rallying cries powerful — even when we don’t like what they’re saying, or when we recognize our connections to them as largely parasocial.

Read more on Salon

For Rapp, a public figure whose fans can’t help but form parasocial attachments to her, it’s a relief to feel so deeply understood.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The pair documented their lives together, opening the door for fans to speculate on their relationship and foster a parasocial connection, Howell explained in the video.

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Another wrote: "Listen. Not our business. Never been our business. Fully aware it's parasocial. But after all these years, I'm both very, very happy for you both and feeling a bizarre sense of relief."

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Fans can also develop parasocial relationships with content creators but don’t often seek those connections with Uber drivers, he said.

Read more on Slate