parasocial

American  

[par-uh-soh-shuhl] / ˌpær əˈsoʊ ʃəl /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of parasocial

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

parasocial

We as human beings identify with celebrities who have nothing to do with us, but these parasocial relationships can be very bad for our wealth.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026

Not to be parasocial, but I just love that they’re both nominated.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

You’d assume that the interface—which some people describe as what you’d get if eBay and TikTok had a child—would attract younger users, who grew up in this parasocial, digital petri dish of swiping and typing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

There are famous breakups, and there are ones that upset the universe’s parasocial order.

From Salon ● Apr. 30, 2026

“Of course. It’s called parasocial interaction—when someone in your audience feels like they know you based on the persona you’ve created.”

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

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