vicarious

[ vahy-kair-ee-uhs, vi- ]

adjective

1. performed, exercised, received, or suffered in place of another:

   vicarious punishment.

2. taking the place of another person or thing; acting or serving as a substitute.
3. felt or enjoyed through imagined participation in the experience of others:

   a vicarious thrill.

4. Physiology. noting or pertaining to a situation in which one organ performs part of the functions normally performed by another.

vicarious

/ vɪˈkɛərɪəs; vaɪ- /

adjective

1. obtained or undergone at second hand through sympathetic participation in another's experiences
2. suffered, undergone, or done as the substitute for another

   vicarious punishment

3. delegated

   vicarious authority

4. taking the place of another
5. pathol (of menstrual bleeding) occurring at an abnormal site See endometriosis

Derived Forms

• viˈcariously, adverb
• viˈcariousness, noun

Other Words From

• vi·car·i·ous·ly adverb
• vi·car·i·ous·ness vi·car·i·ism noun
• non·vi·car·i·ous adjective
• non·vi·car·i·ous·ness noun
• un·vi·car·i·ous adjective
• un·vi·car·i·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vicarious¹

First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin vicārius “substituting,” equivalent to vic(is) (genitive) “interchange, alternation” ( vice ³ ) + -ārius -ary; -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of vicarious¹

C17: from Latin vicārius substituted, from vicis interchange; see vice ³, vicissitude

Example Sentences

Harrods has accepted vicarious liability for some of the claims, a legal term meaning it accepts ultimate responsibility for Al Fayed's alleged actions.

From BBC

She’s also juggling appointments with a therapist to cure her insomnia, which leads to exploring her abandonment issues and the effects of vicarious trauma.

From Los Angeles Times

That vicarious thrill that audiences once gleaned from stories of the rich and powerful takes on different meanings in series about them today.

From Los Angeles Times

This wild, vicarious ride through youthful adventure is absolutely worth taking, for your own nostalgia and for the reminder that the kids are indeed alright.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s not clearly a vicarious claim, because it’s him making a claim for himself.”

From Seattle Times