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

The album opens with two Threadgill compositions for this ensemble.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

“American Classic” boasts a terrific ensemble cast, including Laura Linney, Jon Tenney and Jane Alexander, and looks like perfect comfort TV.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026

Created by Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw, “Adults” relies in part on having an attractive ensemble of performers with great timing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

Olsen: “Widow’s Bay” has such a big ensemble, and then in “The Beast in Me,” really most of your scenes are just you and Claire Danes in this series of escalating conversations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

“You took a very long time to change,” the office manager said to Miss Trixie, noting bitterly that her new ensemble was only a little more presentable than the robe and nightgown.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

A layered character study explores the many ways to sell a story and multi-layered fall ensembles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

Kusama, who had voluntarily lived in a pyschiatric hospital for decades, was known for her bright-red wig and quirky polka-dot ensembles.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

His blend of humor and pathos demands a high-wire act from his ensembles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

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

Each evening he appeared in ensembles of plums, olives, and chocolate browns.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

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