parasocial

American

[par-uh-soh-shuhl] / ˌpær əˈsoʊ ʃəl /

adjective

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.

Etymology

Origin of parasocial

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“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 Literature

It felt like a piece of my childhood died along with the actor who played Dawson Leery, but it wasn’t just a parasocial relationship that had me weeping next to the soap dispenser.

From Slate

With any fandom, parasocial relationships form.

From Los Angeles Times

Podcast listening is, historically, a solo experience: Put in some earbuds or crank up the car stereo, sit back and let blossom a parasocial relationship with strangers who tell stories in such a way that they become our smartest, funniest or most talented friends.

From Los Angeles Times

The one where our friends, both close and parasocial, excitedly share the year-end music-listening data dumps of their Spotify Wrapped.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023