travelling vicariously meaning

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vicariously

[ vahy- kair -ee- uh s-lee , vi- ]

Adventure novels transport us to strange lands, fraught with perilous situations and terrifying monsters we can vicariously vanquish.

Other Words From

• non·vi·car·i·ous·ly adverb
• un·vi·car·i·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vicariously 1

Example Sentences

I want to do this really badly and I probably should be doing this, and taking this knowledge and experience and this passion and doing it vicariously through other people, through artists.

Watching Blomdahl’s videos allowed me to live vicariously through someone who had successfully found the joyful moments that I hoped to emulate in my own space.

Twitch may have started off as a platform for vicariously consumed spectacle—for watching other people shoot zombies or race cars as they played video games.

I experienced this vicariously in researching my own Sicilian American family, through interviews with elderly relatives.

Last October, when a friend was in Belize, I lived vicariously through his trip by peeking at his eBird checklists each day, and they brightened my mood amid dropping fall temperatures in New Mexico.

But not even the threat of death can suppress the urge to live vicariously through Jack Dawson and James Bond.

As far as Wurtzel is concerned, most millennials seem too removed from the day to day, too willing to live vicariously.

Living vicariously through his teammates was better than being home, preoccupied each day with his eroding strength.

Charles Swan is all about a man living vicariously through his daydreams.

Watching her on TV, people will have lived through her vicariously.

That kind of tripe was for the little Joe Dopes who got their thrills vicariously.

I think that at that moment I suffered vicariously in his scornful regard for all my countrymen.

And it is certainly patent to the most out-and-out sceptic that I shall have to get all my Romance vicariously.

If it be consistent with his nature to punish by substitution, what security is there that he will not reward vicariously?

There could be no surprises, no enigmatic delights, but vicariously he could be young again.

The Meaning of Vicariously: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of vicariously? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word vicariously, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What is the origin of the word vicariously?

According to Etymonline, the word vicariously is a c17 word that comes from the Latin vicārius/Latin vicarius and vic-is, from the roots ārius and ary. This is also the pathology of the word vicar.

What are synonyms and antonyms of vicariously?

There is a vast collection of many different words that can be used in place of the word vicariously, which are known as synonyms. Synonyms are words and phrases that have the same meaning as another word or phrase. Synonyms are very useful to know if you are looking to expand your vocabulary or if you are trying to avoid repeating yourself. This list of synonyms for the word vicariously is provided by Power Thesaurus . 

•  substitutive
•  sympathetic
•  empathetic
•  substitute
•  having a heart
•  compatible
•  second hand
•  counterfeit
•  second-hand
•  derivative
•  on same wavelength
•  commissioned
•  alternative
•  sympathising
•  substitutional
•  consistent
•  companionable
•  bush-league
•  provisional
•  representative
•  substituted
•  exchangeable
•  secondhand
•  bleeding-heart
•  consequent
•  appreciative
•  like-minded
•  procurator
•  open-minded
•  in sympathy with
•  replacement
•  authorized
•  favorably disposed
•  vicariously
•  responsive

There are also numerous different words that are the opposite of the word vicariously, which are called antonyms. Antonyms are also very useful to know if you are trying to expand your vocabulary and knowledge of the English language. This list of antonyms for the word vicariously is also provided by Power Thesaurus . 

•  eyewitness
•  in-depth
•  eye-witness
•  hands-on
•  ingrained
•  primary
•  detailed
•  evidence-based
•  first-hand
•  thorough
•  direct
•  innate
•  directly
•  empirical
•  intrinsic
•  close
•  innermost
•  inmost
•  at first hand
•  inbred
•  penetrating
•  at first-hand
•  original
•  deep-seated
•  privy
•  intimate
•  internal
•  first hand
•  immediate
•  exhaustive
•  profound
•  firsthand
•  personal
•  experiential
•  closely
•  special
•  secret
•  straight
•  interior
•  fresh
•  inborn
•  indwelling
•  essential
•  trusted
•  head-on
•  inherent
•  experienced
•  guarded

How can the word vicariously be used in a sentence?

There are many ways that the word vicariously (adv.) can be used in a sentence in the English language. Using new words in a sentence is a great way to incorporate new lingo into your vocabulary. You can also try making flashcards and quizzes that test your knowledge of the definitions of different English words. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today! Below are a couple of different examples of ways in which the word vicariously can be used in the English language to help get your started with using this word. 

Jessica and Tina gained their own vicarious pleasure through photos of their friend’s trip and friend’s adventure to Hawaii. They lived out their fantasy lives from the comfort of their bedroom. 

She had a vicarious transformation through watching her helper gain strength physically through mountain climbing.

The self of a trauma worker felt vicarious trauma through the reports of traumatic experiences. The double execution by the feudal superior filled his fountain of principle with wrath.

Her rational approach to economic theory was through vicarious means. The learner in her class at Princeton University would life life as though their money was at stake in the stock market and learn to make decisions. 

Overall, the word vicariously means living through the life of another person. Through systematic vocabulary improvement you can learn this word of Latin influence.

• Vicarious definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary  
• Vicarious synonyms – 287 Words and Phrases for Vicarious | Power Thesaurus 
• Vicarious antonyms – 17 Opposites of Vicarious | Power Thesaurus 
• vicarious: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense 

Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

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Definition of vicarious adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• He got a vicarious thrill out of watching his son score the winning goal.

Join our community to access the latest language learning and assessment tips from Oxford University Press!

Nearby words

• the Vicar of Bray

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What Does “Vicariously Living Through You” Mean?

Last Updated: July 9, 2024 Fact Checked

What does “Live Vicariously Through You” mean?

How to use “live vicariously”, examples of living vicariously, why living vicariously is dangerous, how to stop living vicariously.

This article was reviewed by Annaliese Dunne and by wikiHow staff writer, Aimee Payne, MFA . Annaliese Dunne is a Middle School English Teacher. With over 10 years of teaching experience, her areas of expertise include writing and grammar instruction, as well as teaching reading comprehension. She is also an experienced freelance writer. She received her Bachelor's degree in English. There are 23 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,203 times.

Have you ever found yourself experiencing life through someone else’s successes and failures? “Living vicariously through you” is a phrase many use to describe when someone gets enjoyment or fulfillment from another’s experiences. In this article, we’ll cover what it means to live vicariously through another person, why it’s not a good idea, and how to stop doing it.

“Live Vicariously Through You” Meaning & Usage

The phrase “live vicariously through you” means one person is experiencing life through another’s adventures. It’s generally harmless for short amounts of time but can be unhealthy if taken to extremes. Some use the phrase as a humorous compliment or insult, depending on the context and tone of the speaker.

• Living vicariously through another person’s experiences can be harmless for a limited time or during a specific event. For example, you watch a movie, imagine yourself participating in the action, and then return to your own life when the movie ends.
• It can also be a useful tool to help therapists develop the empathy they need to help their clients work through emotional and psychological trauma. [2] X Research source

• “My social life consists of watching Netflix with my cat, so I’ll just live vicariously through you for all the parties you go to.”
• “I’m too busy to travel this summer. Please post your vacation photos so I can live vicariously through you.”
• “I get vertigo walking down the stairs, so I’ll just have to live vicariously through you when you’re skydiving tomorrow.”

• “She really needs to take up a hobby instead of living vicariously through her son’s baseball games.”
• “He spends so much time living vicariously through the lives of movie stars, he’s going to start signing autographs in the break room.”
• “It’s starting to feel like they live vicariously through their social media feed instead of living their own life.”
• “It’s clear he’s trying to live vicariously through his partner’s professional success because he doesn’t put any effort into his own career.”

• The parent is also disappointed because the child may not want what the parent wants and fails to achieve their parent’s goals.

• Young people who spend more time on social media are more likely to self-harm and have a greater risk of suicidal thoughts than those who don’t use social media. [6] X Research source

• In some extreme cases, the person will get plastic surgery to look even more like the celebrity they emulate.
• They may replace time spent with friends and loved ones with daydreaming about their celebrity obsession. [8] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source

• Being so focused on another person’s life makes it more difficult to make decisions because you aren’t focusing on your own problems.
• You also wonder what the other person would do even though they aren’t in your shoes and haven’t experienced the same things you have.

• The child may feel they can never live up to their parent’s expectations, making them feel inadequate and resentful, damaging their bond.

• Spending time with friends and loved ones helps reduce depression and anxiety. It can even help strengthen your immune system. [15] X Research source

• Seeing what appears to be another person’s “perfect life” can lead to low self-esteem and negative body issues.
• Too much social media can also affect your sleep, especially if you’re “doomscrolling” right before bedtime. Checking your socials stimulates your brain, and the blue light from your device can throw off your internal clock. [17] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source

• When you’re ready to quit social media completely, deactivate your accounts .

• It can also help to start identifying your negative thoughts and making an effort to replace them with more positive ones.
• Instead of thinking, “This is too hard,” replace it with, “I’m still learning something new.”

• Once you’ve settled on a goal, break it down into achievable steps. For example, if you want to play keyboards in a band, the first step may be to locate a piano teacher and sign up for lessons.

• Celebrating can also be a quick happy dance or treating yourself to an ice cream cone.

Expert Q&A

You might also like.

• ↑ https://www.aaas.org/news/science-researchers-capture-brain-activity-behind-living-vicariously
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolution-the-self/201111/do-therapists-live-vicariously-through-their-clients
• ↑ https://www.happierhuman.com/living-vicariously/
• ↑ https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.785970/full
• ↑ https://socialmediavictims.org/social-media-addiction/effects/
• ↑ https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dissertations/AAI10640641/
• ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/the-psychology-of-celebrity-worship#recap
• ↑ https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6426373/
• ↑ https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/sports-complex-the-science-behind-fanatic-behavior
• ↑ https://wealthfulmind.com/living-vicariously-through-others/
• ↑ https://www.coaching-online.org/living-vicariously-through-someone/
• ↑ https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/memberarticles/i-dont-know-who-i-am-anymore-losing-my-identity
• ↑ https://thesciencesurvey.com/arts-entertainment/2022/07/21/comfort-characters-an-exploration-of-fandoms-and-fiction/
• ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_stop_romantic_comedies_from_ruining_your_love_life
• ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Strong-relationships-strong-health
• ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm
• ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/put-the-phone-away-3-reasons-why-looking-at-it-before-bed-is-a-bad-habit
• ↑ https://time.com/6554322/how-to-use-social-media-less/
• ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/mentalhealth/articles/how-hobbies-improve-mental-health
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/social-comparison-theory
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/click-here-happiness/202104/how-set-and-achieve-your-life-goals
• ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/two-you-video-series/celebrate-small-stuff
• ↑ https://mhanational.org/science-behind-therapy

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