Vicarious

usgb/vaɪˈkeriəs/
adjective

Experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person.

I got a vicarious thrill out of my friend's adventures
Visual representation of "vicarious" - Experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person

Often appears as...

  • vicarious pleasure
  • vicarious thrill
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "vicarious"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Second-Hand Emotion

Use 'vicarious' when expressing feelings felt through someone else's experiences, as if you were part of it.

Illustration for Second-Hand Emotion
Watching the documentary, I felt a vicarious sense of achievement.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Imaginative Involvement

'Vicarious' conveys a deep engagement in another's story without having a direct role.

Illustration for Imaginative Involvement
Through her memoir, I lived a vicarious adventure.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Emotional Connection

It often indicates a strong, sometimes undeservedly intense emotional connection to another's actions.

Illustration for Emotional Connection
Her win gave me vicarious pride, though I hadn't helped.
Word comparison image

Compare with

alternativedelegatorindirectproxyrepresentationalsecondarysubstitutesurrogate
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Visual representation of the word "Vicarious"

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