vicissitude

noun

vi·​cis·​si·​tude və-ˈsi-sə-ˌtüd How to pronounce vicissitude (audio)
vī-,
-ˌtyüd
1
a
: the quality or state of being changeable : mutability
b
: natural change or mutation visible in nature or in human affairs
2
a
: a favorable or unfavorable event or situation that occurs by chance : a fluctuation of state or condition
the vicissitudes of daily life
b
: a difficulty or hardship attendant on a way of life, a career, or a course of action and usually beyond one's control
c
: alternating change : succession

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Changes and Vicissitude

"Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better," wrote British theologian Richard Hooker in the 16th century. That observation may shed some light on vicissitude, a word that can refer simply to the fact of change, or to an instance of it, but that often refers specifically to hardship or difficulty brought about by change. To survive "the vicissitudes of life" is thus to survive life's ups and downs, with special emphasis on the downs. Vicissitude is a descendant of the Latin noun vicis, meaning "change" or "alternation," and it has been a part of the English language since the 16th century. In contemporary usage, it most often occurs in the plural.

Examples of vicissitude in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mere knick-knacks, which have all disappeared with the vicissitudes of years. Adam Verner september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025 But Hynes details life’s vicissitudes with poetic exactitude. Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025 How should those future retirees be investing today to best weather the vicissitudes of tomorrow? Eamon Barrett, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2023 The vicissitudes of a placid adulthood: a dinner that tastes good, but not great; a film that entertains but doesn’t transport. Hazlitt, 4 May 2022 See All Example Sentences for vicissitude

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Latin vicissitudo, from vicissim in turn, from vicis change, alternation — more at week

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of vicissitude was circa 1576

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Cite this Entry

“Vicissitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vicissitude. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

vicissitude

noun
vi·​cis·​si·​tude və-ˈsis-ə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce vicissitude (audio)
vī-
: a surprising or irregular change

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