# vicarious

> English word · Adjective · IPA /vɪˈkɛəɹi.əs/ · frequency rank #47,405

## Definitions
1. Delegated.
2. Experienced or gained by taking in another person’s experience rather than through first-hand experience, such as through watching or reading.
3. On behalf of others.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin vicārius (“vicarious, substituted”), 17th century.

## Easily confused with
- **vicious** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vicarious-vs-vicious)
- **vivacious** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vicarious-vs-vivacious)
- **victorious** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vicarious-vs-victorious)
- **vicariously** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vicarious-vs-vicariously)
- **various** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/various-vs-vicarious)

## Common misspellings (12)
`ivcarious`, `vciarious`, `viacrious`, `vicairous`, `vicariosu`, `vicariouss`, `vicariuos`, `vicaroius`, `vicarrious`, `viccarious`, `vicraious`, `vvicarious`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/vicarious