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. )

Example Sentences

It turned what is a parasocial relationship into something slightly more real.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

RedZone is high-quality entertainment, and Hanson is one of the few irreplaceable people in sports media, a legit star who has a parasocial relationship with millions of football fans.

From Slate • Sep. 8, 2025

As Matthew joins Oliver’s inner circle, their parasocial bond evolves into a real friendship, until Matthew’s desire to belong becomes dangerous.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2025

Shelling out hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year is seen as an adequate trade-off for what the fan receives in return: an intense parasocial relationship.

From Salon • Jun. 29, 2025

“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