Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Featured

25 Words That Taylor Swift’s Songs Taught Me

T Swizzle is a great lyricist, which is how she fits these vocab words into her songs.

Callie Spencer

Dec 22, 2023

University of Oklahoma

50910

Taylor Swift album full of vocabulary that is interesting to learn

Photo by Rosa Rafael on Unsplash

I've been listening to Taylor Swift for as long as I can remember. Her songs have taught me above love, life, change, fear, and basically everything else.

What I didn't expect them to teach me were words. She's a great writer, which means she doesn't use just any old word to describe her feelings. She uses words that a lot of people wouldn't know the meaning of right away or without context. As you read through this list of words, keep in mind that I was pretty young when I first heard these songs, so my vocabulary was still limited. (In case you think I was stupid for not knowing what a word meant.)

If you don't recognize some of these words, then congratulations, you're going to learn something new today!

1. Tendency

Callie Spencer

"Just a boy in a Chevy truck who had a tendency of getting stuck on backroads at night." -Tim McGraw

2. Fearless

Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash

"I don't know how it gets better than this. You take my hand and drag me headfirst, fearless. And I don't know why, but with you, I'd dance in a storm in my best dress, fearless." -Fearless

I knew what this word meant, but Taylor Swift taught me an entirely different definition.

"To me, 'Fearless' is not the absence of fear. It's not being completely unafraid. To me, fearless is having fears. Fearless is having doubts. Lots of them. To me, fearless is living in spite of those things that scare you to death...That's why I write these songs. Because I think love is fearless."

3. Outskirts

https://pixabay.com/en/d..., Callie Spencer

"I got tired of waiting, wondering if you were ever coming around. My faith in you was fading, when I met you on the outskirts of town." -Love Story

4. Self-indulgent

gel candle and comfy pillow in corner of room by window

Photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash

"Before you, I only dated self-indulgent takers who took all of their problems out on me." -Stay Stay Stay

ADJ Characterized by doing or tending to do exactly what one wants, especially when this involves pleasure or idleness.

5. Naïve

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

"Maybe I was naïve. Got lost in your eyes. I never really had a chance." -White Horse

ADJ. Showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.

6. Absentmindedly

frustrated man absent-minded by the window

Photo by taylor on Unsplash

"But you're just so cool. Run your hands through your hair. Absentmindedly making me want you."

ADJ So lost in thought that one does not realize what one is doing or what is happening.

7. Sensible

Callie Spencer

"He is sensible and so incredible, and all my single friends are jealous." -The Way I Loved You

8. Cynic

"And the cynics were outraged, screaming, 'This is absurd!' 'cause for a moment a band of thieves in ripped up jeans got to rule the world." -Long Live

NOUN A person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than acting for honorable or unselfish reasons.

9. Endearing

Callie Spencer

"He's charming and endearing and I'm comfortable." -The Way I Loved You

10. Speculate

Photo by Paul Skorupskas on Unsplash

"It's not theirs to speculate if it's wrong." -Ours

VERB Form a theory or opinion about a subject without firm evidence.

11. Raided

four helicopters in a raid over mountainside at daytime

Photo by Juli Kosolapova on Unsplash

"We've been outnumbered, raided, and now cornered. It's hard to fight when the fight ain't fair." -Change

NOUN Suddenly attacked by an enemy.

12. Disposition

woman with red hair and impeccable character

Photo by Christopher Campbell on Unsplash

"Your sweet disposition, and my wide-eyed gaze." -All Too Well

NOUN A person's inherent qualities of mind and character.

13. Flight Risk

https://www.pexels.com/p..., Callie Spencer

"I was a flight risk with a fear of falling. Wondering why we bother with love if it never lasts." -Mine

In Taylor Swift's case, being a flight risk means she's prone to leave the relationship when things get tough.

14. Captivated

Photo by Matt Palmer on Unsplash

"I'm captivated by you, baby, like a fireworks show." -Sparks Fly

VERB To attract and hold the attention or interest of.

15. Humiliation

Photo by Stanisław Krawczyk on Unsplash

"You with your switching sides and your wildfire lies and your humiliation." -Mean

NOUN The act of causing in a person a painful loss of pride, self-respect, or dignity.

16. Vacancy

Photo by CARTER SAUNDERS on Unsplash

"Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes, and vacancy vanished when I saw your face." -Enchanted

17. Silhouette

https://www.pexels.com/p..., Callie Spencer

"Across the room, your silhouette starts to make its way to me." -Enchanted

18. Sabotage

woman in black long sleeve shirt covering her face

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

"She took him faster than you could say 'sabotage.'" -Better Than Revenge

VERB Deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct something or someone, especially for personal advantage.

19. Condescending

Photo by Joshua Rawson-Harris on Unsplash

"Every smile you fake is so condescending, counting all the scars you've made." -Cold As You

ADJ. Having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority.

20. Sophistication

sophisticated woman wearing gray jacket with blonde hair

Photo by Valerie Elash on Unsplash

"But sophistication isn't what you wear or who you know, or pushing people down to get you where you want to go." -Better Than Revenge

NOUN A great deal of worldly experience and knowledge of fashion and culture.

21. Deceiving

Callie Spencer

"Hey Stephen, I know looks can be deceiving, but I know I saw a light in you." -Hey Stephen

22. Dignity

Photo by Dave Lowe on Unsplash

"They didn't teach you that in prep school, so it's up to me. That no amount of vintage dresses gives you dignity." -Better Than Revenge

NOUN The state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.

23. Intoxicating

https://pixabay.com/en/red-wine-glass-drink-wine-glass-1004255/, Callie Spencer

"You were wild and crazy. Just so frustrating, intoxicating, complicated. Got away by some mistake." -The Way I Loved You

24. Irrational

woman standing in brown field while looking sideways

Photo by Burst on Unsplash

"Tall, dark, and beautiful. He's complicated. He's irrational." -Superman

ADJ Not logical or reasonable

25. Nonchalant

Photo by Federico Burgalassi on Unsplash

"And now that I can't put this down, if I had known what I know now, I never would've played so nonchalant."

ADJ Coolly unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited.

Report this Content

Entertainment

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

36718

Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less

best beatles lyrics

Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

99932

college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

waitlisted

Recommended for you

25 Words That Taylor Swift’s Songs Taught Me

T Swizzle is a great lyricist, which is how she fits these vocab words into her songs.

1. Tendency

2. Fearless

3. Outskirts

4. Self-indulgent

5. Naïve

6. Absentmindedly

7. Sensible

8. Cynic

9. Endearing

10. Speculate

11. Raided

12. Disposition

13. Flight Risk

14. Captivated

15. Humiliation

16. Vacancy

17. Silhouette

18. Sabotage

19. Condescending

20. Sophistication

21. Deceiving

22. Dignity

23. Intoxicating

24. Irrational

25. Nonchalant

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Subscribe to our
Newsletter