Eminem

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The stage name of an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer known for his impactful lyrics and rapid-fire delivery ; a cultural icon in hip-hop music ; the alter ego of Marshall Bruce Mathers III
2. An internationally acclaimed musical artist and performer celebrated for his intense and personal lyrical content ; a recognized figure in popular culture ; the professional moniker of Marshall Mathers
3. A renowned entertainer in the rap and hip-hop genres famous for confrontational themes and technical skill ; a public persona with widespread influence ; the adopted name of the musician born Marshall Mathers

Etymology: The name is built from letters rather than from an older word. Marshall Mathers, the Detroit rapper, took it from his own initials, M and M, which are pronounced "em" and "em" in English. Run together and spelled as one word, the initials became a name that sounds like the letters themselves. The spelling works because it preserves that sound. Readers who see "Eminem" can hear the two letter names, which is why the name reads less like a dictionary word and more like a spelled-out pair of initials.