vicarious

UK: /vɪˈkɛəriəs/, /vaɪˈkɛəriəs/

US: /vaɪˈkɛriəs, vɪ-/

US: (vī kâr′ē əs, vi-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

vi•car•i•ous /vaɪˈkɛriəs, vɪ-/   adj. 

1. felt or enjoyed by imagining that one is participating in the experience of others:
   It gave me a vicarious thrill to hear about her trip.

vi•car•i•ous•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

vi•car•i•ous  (vī kâr′ē əs, vi-), adj. 

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.

• Latin vicārius substituting, equivalent. to vic(is) (genitive) interchange, alternation (see vice³), + -ārius -ary; see -ous
• 1630–40

vi•car′i•ous•ly, adv. 
vi•car′i•ous•ness, vi•car′i•ism, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

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

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin vicārius substituted, from vicis interchange; see vice³, vicissitude