ensemble

American  

[ahn-sahm-buhl, -sahmb, ahn-sahn-bl^uh] / ɑnˈsɑm bəl, -ˈsɑmb, ɑ̃ˈsɑ̃ blə /

noun

• ensembles
  plural

1. all the parts of a thing taken together, so that each part is considered only in relation to the whole.

   Synonyms:

   aggregate, entirety, totality

2. the entire costume of an individual, especially when all the parts are in harmony.

   She was wearing a beautiful ensemble by one of the French designers.

3. a set of furniture.

4. Music.

   1. the united performance of an entire group of singers, musicians, etc.

   2. the group so performing.

      a string ensemble.

5. a group of supporting entertainers, as actors, dancers, and singers, in a theatrical production.

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ensemble British  

/ ɑ̃sɑ̃blə, ɒnˈsɒmbəl /

noun

1. all the parts of something considered together and in relation to the whole

2. a person's complete costume; outfit

3. 1. the cast of a play other than the principals; supporting players

   2. ( as modifier )

      an ensemble role

4. music

   1. a group of soloists singing or playing together

   2. ( as modifier )

      an ensemble passage

5. music the degree of precision and unity exhibited by a group of instrumentalists or singers performing together

   the ensemble of the strings is good

6. the general or total effect of something made up of individual parts

7. physics

   1. a set of systems (such as a set of collections of atoms) that are identical in all respects apart from the motions of their constituents

   2. a single system (such as a collection of atoms) in which the properties are determined by the statistical behaviour of its constituents

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adverb

1. all together or at once

adjective

1. (of a film or play) involving several separate but often interrelated story lines

   ensemble comedy drama

2. involving no individual star but several actors whose roles are of equal importance

   fine ensemble playing

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• ensembles
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ensemble

1740–50; < French: together < Latin insimul, equivalent to in- in- ² + simul together; see simultaneous

Explanation

An ensemble is a group of musicians, dancers, or actors who perform together, like an ensemble which has been playing music together for several years. Ensemble comes from the Middle French word ensemblée, which means "together, at the same time." Groups of people who perform at the same time are ensembles, so are things that are put together. A collection of short stories or artwork can be an ensemble, but you don't have to be a writer or artist to be complimented on your ensemble — the outfit you are wearing.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ensemble ensembles

With a large ensemble cast, everyone gets their due, including Kurt Russell as late-arriving big agriculture antagonist Dob McCoy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

The all-star ensemble of ballet dancers enjoys more screen time than it typically would have in a Hollywood film.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

For his 1973 album “Geeta,” Mr. Lloyd invited into his ensemble Aashish and Pranesh Khan, sons of Ali Akbar Khan, one of the greatest figures of 20th-century North Indian music.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

Led by Susan Angelo, Jan Wikstrom and Ellen Geer, this ensemble, under the direction of Willow Geer, diverts and distracts from the mustier aspects of Coward’s style.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

The one thing still missing from my fresh ensemble is a zoot suit.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz

Swift and husband Travis Kelce's choice of the venerable Parisian house for their New York wedding ensembles this weekend represented a major coup for the LVMH-owned brand.

From Barron's ● Jul. 6, 2026

The orchestra, one of the oldest amateur ensembles in Africa, includes retirees, high-school students, surgeons and engineers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026

Gospel choirs, country musicians, jazz ensembles, mariachi groups, Indigenous performers, military bands and local community orchestras share stages throughout the city.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

When the two atomic ensembles are placed in different locations, the resulting quantum state reflects the difference between the local magnetic or gravitational fields.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 6, 2026

Miss Lacey checked everyone’s ensembles, making last-minute adjustments and giving final instructions as to how to show off the pieces.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• assemblage
• band
• cast
• choir
• chorus
• orchestra
• quartet
• quintet
• sextet
• trio
• troupe