Beyoncé's name to be added to French encyclopedic dictionary
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is having a massive year with the release of her acclaimed album "Cowboy Carter." And now her name will be added to the French encyclopedic dictionary Petit Larousse Illustré.
The "Ya Ya" singer will become one of 40 remarkable figures listed in the dictionary. Beyoncé — a proper noun — will be added in dictionary's yearly update with the singer defined as "American singer of R&B and pop,” according to U.K. newspaper The Times.
Each year, Larousse’s jury identifies around 150 notable words and people in the French language for its pages. Queen Bey will be added along with "Oppenheimer" director Christopher Nolan, NBA player LeBron James and actor Cate Blanchett.
Carine Girac-Marinie, Larousse's head of dictionaries and encyclopedias, told French magazine Le Point the new additions “reflect concerns, developments or strong movements this year."
Girac-Marinie added that the terms align with the “values of the Petit Larousse — excellence and promotion of French culture.”
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Beyoncé's mother, Tina Knowles, has Louisiana Creole heritage, and the singer's name comes from her mom's family's name. Thus, Beyoncé's name has a French origin.
In 2004, the term "bootylicious" was added to the Oxford English Dictionary due to the popularity of Destiny's Child's hit.
Beyoncé, who holds the title as the most-decorated singer in Grammys history, released her eighth studio album "Cowboy Carter" on March 29. The singer initially announced the "Act II" project during a surprise Super Bowl commercial, while dropping her first two singles, "16 Carriages" and "Texas Hold 'Em."
The tracks instantly took the internet by storm as did the full album, once it was released to the world.
This is yet another feat the singer can add to her list of accolades this year alone.
Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.