Word of the day: Mariah Carey.
Coined as the “Songbird Supreme” by the Guinness World Records, Carey is known to many as an iconic force of nature who has a storybook career of almost 30 years.
The elusive chanteuse, who re-releasing a 25th-anniversary edition of her 1994 Merry Christmas album on November 1, also has a superior storytelling pen that not only has granted her praise and a record-breaking solo career on the Billboard Hot 100, but builds a word list for her Lambily to apply in everyday speaking, and writing.
In celebration of National Dictionary Day, we revisit MC’s top-notch discography to share 16 times that she helped expand our vocabulary through her songwriting.
“It’s a Wrap” — Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel (2009)
Word: acquiescent — ready to accept something without protest, or to do what someone else wants.
How she used acquiescent in a lyric: If I ever misrepresented my self-image, then I’m sorry / I was oh so acquiescent but I learned my lesson / Boy you’re sorry (Boy you’re sorry) / Out in the open / Don’t make me call Maury Povich
“8th Grade” — Caution (2018)
Word: ambivalent — having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
How she used ambivalent in a lyric: I’m a confirmation, should you feel unsure / I’m that security when you’re insecure / I’ll be that baby girl when you’re immature / Don’t be ambivalent towards me
“Petals” — Rainbow (1999)
Word: despondency — a state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or courage.
How she used despondency in a lyric: I gravitated towards a patriarch so young predictably / I was resigned to spend my life within a maze of misery / A boy and a girl befriended me / We’re bonded through despondency / I stayed so long, but finally I fled to save my sanity
“My Saving Grace” — Charmbracelet (2002)
Word: destitute — without the basic necessities of life.
How she used destitute in a lyric: Yes, I been bruised / Grew up confused / Been destitute / I’ve been life from many sides / Been stigmatized / Been black and white / Felt inferior inside / Until my saving grace shine on me / Until my saving grace set me free
“Looking In” — Daydream (1995)
Word: disenchanted — disappointed by someone or something previously respected or admired; disillusioned.
How she used disenchanted in a lyric: Don’t say, “She takes it all for granted” / I’m well aware of all I have / Don’t think that I am disenchanted / Please understand
“My All” — Butterfly (1997)
Word: emblazoned — conspicuously inscribe or display a design on.
How she used emblazoned in a lyric: I can see you clearly, vividly emblazoned in my mind
“Vanishing” — Mariah Carey (1990)
Word: enraptured — to move to rapture; delight beyond measure.
How she used enraptured in a lyric: I was so enraptured / No sensibility to open my eyes /I misunderstood / Now you’re fading faster / It’s suddenly hard to see / You’re taking the light / Letting the shadows inside swiftly
“Cry” — Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse (2014)
Word: imprudently — not showing care for the consequences of an action; rash.
How she used imprudently in a lyric: Oh my love, imprudently I left every cell in me / So naked, somewhere at the core of you / Bless our souls
“Subtle Invitation” — Charmbracelet (2002)
Word: intrinsic — belonging naturally; essential.
How she used intrinsic in a lyric: What can I say? I had a little extra time / So I figured I might as well explain / A couple little things to you / That you probably never knew / Like you’ll always be, an intrinsic part of me / Even though life goes, ooh
“Languishing (the interlude)” — Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)
Word: languishing — failing to make progress or be successful.
How she used languishing in a lyric: If you saw that I was languishing? I was wondering, would you cry for me
“Fourth of July” — Butterfly (1997)
Word: ominously — in a way that suggests that something bad is going to happen.
How she used ominously in a lyric: Thunder clouds (Thunder clouds) / Hung around (hung around) / So threateningly / Ominously hovering / The sky (the sky) / Opened wide (Opened wide) / Showering (Oh, yeah, yeah)
“Angels Cry” — Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel (2009)
Word: omnipresent— widely or constantly encountered; common or widespread.
How she used omnipresent in a lyric: Limitless, omnipresent kind of love / Couldn’t have guessed it would just stop / And disappear in a whirlwind
“The Art of Letting Go” — Me. I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse (2014)
Word: reverberating — to continue in or as if in a series of echoes.
How she used reverberating in a lyric: Evidently your words were merely lies, reverberating in my ears and the echo won’t subside
“Did I Do That?” featuring Mystikal & Master P — Rainbow (1999)
Word: rhapsodize — speak or write about someone or something with great enthusiasm and delight.
How she used rhapsodize in a lyric: Funny how sometimes you can really lose your mind / And do things you would never do (Did I do that?) / You rhapsodize and get caught up in the hype /’Til your senses return to you / Love plays you for a fool
“With You” — Caution (2018)
Word: trepidation — a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen.
How she used trepidation in a lyric: There were out, she was bound to take him / She was full of such trepidation / There in front of the whole damn nation
“Clown” — Charmbracelet (2002)
Word: woeful — full of woe; wretched; unhappy.
How she used woeful in a lyric: I shoulda never listened to your woeful stories / The ones I’m sure you told a thousand times before me