Vicarious Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

Vicarious describes feeling, experiencing, or enjoying something through another person, rather than doing it yourself. For example, reading about someone's adventure and feeling excitement as if you lived it.

Usage & Nuances

Often used in formal or literary English. Common with 'vicarious experience,' 'vicarious pleasure,' or 'vicarious thrill.' It describes indirect involvement, especially emotional, through another person. Not used for direct actions.

• Spanish: vicario (experiencia ajena)
• Portuguese (BR): vicário (por meio de outro) - indireto (sentido figurado)
• Portuguese (PT): vicário (através de outro) - indireto (sentido figurado)
• Chinese (Simplified): 替代的 - 间接体验的
• Chinese (Traditional): 替代的 - 間接體驗的
• Hindi: परक (दूसरे के अनुभव के माध्यम से)
• Arabic: غير مباشر (عن طريق شخص آخر)
• Bengali: পরোক্ষ (অনুভূতি) - অপরের মাধ্যমে অর্জিত
• Russian: чужой (через другого) - опосредованный
• Japanese: 代理的 - 他者を通じて味わう
• Vietnamese: gián tiếp - thông qua người khác
• Korean: 대리의 - 간접적인
• Turkish: dolaylı - başkası aracılığıyla yaşanan
• Urdu: بالواسطہ (دوسرے کے ذریعے)
• Indonesian: perantara - melalui orang lain

Example Sentences

I experience vicarious joy from reading travel stories.

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He lived a vicarious life through films and books instead of traveling himself.

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Watching reality shows gives people a vicarious sense of drama without the risk.

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She felt vicarious excitement watching her friend win the race.

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Parents often feel vicarious pride in their children's successes.

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Fans enjoy vicarious thrills when their favorite team wins a big game.

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