ensemble

[ahn-sahm-buhl, -sahmb, ahn-sahn-bl^uh]

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.

ensemble

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ensemble¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ensemble¹

C15: from French: together, from Latin insimul, from _in- ² + simul at the same time

Example Sentences

The ensemble feels like a real, fractured unit that shares unspoken arrangements and lifelong knowledge of one another that doesn’t need to be verbalized to be understood.

Read more on Salon

A string ensemble played “New York, New York.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Jordan’s performance as complex antagonist Erik Killmonger in Coogler’s “Black Panther” drew widespread awards attention from critics groups, and the film’s cast won the SAG ensemble prize — Jordan’s highest acting honor to date.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The list of credits includes roughly 90 entities, including musicians, engineers, songwriters, translators and multiple choir ensembles.

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The creative team held a workshop with an ensemble cast, which includes some of the current actors, three years ago.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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