ensemble

American  

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

noun

plural

ensembles

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

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

For two decades, he played in Cat Power’s backing ensemble, the Dirty Delta Blues band, and became the project’s musical director.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Wearing outfits like her viral cheetah-print ensemble, Rinna skyrocketed to fan-favorite status during her tenure as a traitor.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

The track, The Shadowy Light, paired her unmistakable voice with a cross-cultural ensemble, its imagery of a boatman guiding a soul across unknown waters reflecting on death and the afterlife.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

"Our findings may open a route toward compact gravitational-wave sensing, where the relevant atomic ensemble is millimeter-scale," said Navdeep Arya, a postdoctoral researcher at Stockholm University.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

This time the boy had added reindeer antlers to his ensemble.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Related Words

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