vicariously

American  

[vahy-kair-ee-uhs-lee, vi-] / vaɪˈkɛər i əs li, vɪ- /

adverb

1. through the experience of another person.

   Adventure novels transport us to strange lands, fraught with perilous situations and terrifying monsters we can vicariously vanquish.

---

Other Word Forms

• nonvicariously adverb
• unvicariously adverb

Etymology

Origin of vicariously

vicarious ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

If you’re living vicariously, stop it. Get out and live life for yourself. Vicariously means that you’re experiencing something indirectly, like when your friend's adventure feels like your own. Vicariously is the adverb form of the word vicarious, which also involves experiencing something through another person. The Latin influence is the word vicarius, which means “substitute.” If you experience something vicariously, in a sense you’re a substitute who’s getting something secondhand.

Example Sentences

He said he's now living out that once-denied dream vicariously through Victor Glover, who is set to make history on the Artemis 2 Moon mission that could take off as soon as Wednesday.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

Since these were public officials acting under the state's authority, "the government must answer for the resulting harm" and thus was "vicariously liable", the judge said.

From BBC • Dec. 26, 2025

For now, I’ll just have to enjoy it vicariously.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

Or you can live vicariously through the bakers on “Bake Off” — whatever satisfies your culinary endeavors.

From Salon • Sep. 19, 2025

Most of my time since the secret hazmat operation has been spent vicariously absorbing Cabo through my class mates’ Instagram Stories.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott