Vicariously: meaning, definitions and examples

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vicariously

 

[vɪˈkɛr.i.əs.li ]

Definition

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'vicarius', which means 'substitute' or 'representative'.
  • It was originally used in ecclesiastical contexts to refer to a person acting in place of another, particularly in religious roles.

Psychology

  • Vicarious experiences can play a significant role in empathy, allowing people to understand and share the feelings of others.
  • Many studies suggest that reading literature or watching films can lead to vicarious emotions, enhancing our emotional intelligence.

Pop Culture

  • Reality TV has popularized vicarious living; viewers feel they are part of the contestants' dramatic lives and experiences.
  • Social media platforms allow people to vicariously live through others' adventures by sharing travel photos and experiences.

Education

  • In learning environments, students can gain insights vicariously by observing others perform tasks before trying them themselves.
  • Teachers often use vicarious experiences to engage students, showing videos of experiments or real-world scenarios.

Literature

  • Many classic novels explore vicarious themes, as characters often attain knowledge or growth through observing others.
  • Autobiographies or memoirs invite readers to experience the author's life vicariously, sparking reflection on their own experiences.

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 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.