Learn English – Word that describes experiencing something second-hand

adjectivessingle-word-requestsvocabulary

What word describes experiencing something second-hand?

This word has been on my mind a long time, but it keeps eluding me.
The word, I think it's an adjective, describes experiencing something second-hand. It could be used to describe, for example, gossiping or reading a book – the listener/reader experiences second-hand what he/she hears/reads.

It probably starts with 'i' or 'v'!

Best Answer

You might be thinking of vicarious; in particular:

  • "felt or enjoyed through imagined participation in the experience of others".

(M-W)