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

Other Word Forms

• vicariously adverb
• vicariousness noun
• vicariism noun
• nonvicarious adjective
• nonvicariousness noun
• unvicarious adjective
• unvicariousness 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

Johnson, squeezed into a wig so tight we get a vicarious headache, has pumped up his deltoids to nearly reach his prosthetic cauliflower ears.

From Los Angeles Times

This begins to explain the sensation of vicarious triumph some of us may be feeling at Markle’s engagement.

From Salon

We get a vicarious thrill from watching the narcissist run roughshod over people's feelings or exploit others without shame.

From Salon

Luckily, the internet is also glitching, causing a vicarious thrill when Marty quits trying to get service and throws away his phone.

From Los Angeles Times

Television is a vehicle built for vicarious experiences, a medium fueled by feeling and thus prone to engaging in manipulation.

From Salon