Basic Details
Word: Vicarious
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Experiencing something through the feelings or actions of another person, rather than doing it directly.
Synonyms: Indirect, second-hand, proxy
Antonyms: Direct, primary
Idioms and Phrases
- Live vicariously through someone: To experience something through someone else's experiences. Example: "She didnt travel much, so she lived vicariously through her friends travel stories."
- Vicarious pleasure: Enjoyment derived from observing or hearing about someone elses experiences. Example: "He felt vicarious pleasure watching his sister win the race."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Watching a thrilling movie can give you a vicarious sense of adventure without leaving your home.
Example 2: She enjoyed reading travel blogs because they allowed her to have a vicarious experience of different cultures.
Example 3: The teacher saw her students success as a vicarious achievement of her own hard work and dedication.
Fun Fact
The word vicarious comes from the Latin word vicarius, which means "substitute" or "deputy," indicating the idea of experiencing something indirectly through another person.
Famous Quote
"To be vicarious is to be elevated by another's victories." Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "vicarious" mean?
a) Experiencing something directly
b) Experiencing through another person
c) Feeling nothing
d) Being upset
Answer: b) Experiencing through another person
2. Which of these is a synonym of "vicarious"?
a) Direct
b) Indirect
c) Primary
d) Original
Answer: b) Indirect
3. Which sentence uses "vicarious" correctly?
a) He had a vicarious experience by eating chocolate cake.
b) She felt vicarious joy watching her friends play.
c) The vicarious cat jumped over the fence.
d) Vicarious means something is tangible.
Answer: b) She felt vicarious joy watching her friends play.
4. What is an idiom that relates to "vicarious"?
a) Live vicariously through someone
b) A fish out of water
c) Under the weather
d) A penny for your thoughts
Answer: a) Live vicariously through someone
5. Which of the following is an antonym of "vicarious"?
a) Indirect
b) Direct
c) Remote
d) Proxy
Answer: b) Direct
