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Vicariously: meaning, definitions and examples

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vicariously

 

[ vɪˈkɛr.i.əs.li ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

experiencing through

Vicariously refers to experiencing something indirectly or through another person. It often relates to emotions, actions, or experiences that one feels or lives out through someone else's experiences rather than directly. For example, a person might feel joy from a story of someone else's success as if they achieved it themselves. This concept is common in literature and discussions about empathy and shared experiences.

Synonyms

indirectly, proxy, through someone else

Examples of usage

  • She lived vicariously through her children's adventures.
  • He experienced vicariously the excitement of the game through his friends' reactions.
  • Reading travel blogs allows me to vicariously explore the world.
  • They laughed vicariously at the comedian's jokes about parenting.

Translations

Translations of the word "vicariously" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vicariamente

🇮🇳 परायों के माध्यम से

🇩🇪 mittelbar

🇮🇩 secara tidak langsung

🇺🇦 вторинно

🇵🇱 wicej

🇯🇵 代理的に

🇫🇷 par procuration

🇪🇸 vicariamente

🇹🇷 başkası aracılığıyla

🇰🇷 대리로

🇸🇦 بشكل غير مباشر

🇨🇿 zprostředkovaně

🇸🇰 zastupiteľsky

🇨🇳 间接地

🇸🇮 posredno

🇮🇸 yfirlit

🇰🇿 жанама

🇬🇪 პარალელურად

🇦🇿 dolayı ilə

🇲🇽 de manera indirecta

Word origin

The term 'vicariously' is derived from the medieval Latin word 'vicarious', which means 'acting as a substitute'. It originally referred to the role of a vicar, a cleric or a deputy, who acts on behalf of another, particularly in religious contexts. As the word evolved through the ages, it maintained the core idea of experiencing or acting through another person's actions or feelings. Vicariously became more broadly used in the 19th century as it was adopted into English literature and common parlance, particularly in the context of empathy and shared experiences, such as reading books or watching films. The concept of vicarious experiences captures the human tendency to connect with others' journeys, emotions, and adventures, reflecting an inherent desire for connection and understanding in social interactions.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,822, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.