ensemble

[ahn-sahm-buhl, -sahmb; French ahn-sahn-bluh]

See more synonyms for ensemble on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural en·sem·bles

[ahn-sahm-sahm-buhlz, -sahmbz; French ahn-sahn-bluh] /ɑnˈsɑmˈsɑm bəlz, -ˈsɑmbz; French ɑ̃ˈsɑ̃ blə/.

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

Music.
1. the united performance of an entire group of singers, musicians, etc.
2. the group so performing: a string ensemble.
a group of supporting entertainers, as actors, dancers, and singers, in a theatrical production.

Origin of ensemble

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

Synonyms for ensemble

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1. totality, entirety, aggregate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for ensemble

chorus, trio, cast, orchestra, band, troupe, assemblage, quintet, sextet, choir, quartet, garb, costume, suit, altogether, gathering, set, group, composite, sum

Examples from the Web for ensemble

Contemporary Examples of ensemble

While Malkovich was an ensemble member of the Steppenwolf Theater Company, Miller was enlisted to photograph the cast.
The Man Behind Marilyn Malkovich
Justin Jones
October 2, 2014
And Olivia Palermo weds in three-piece Carolina Herrera ensemble.
Sky Ferreira Defends Terry Richardson; Angel Haze & Ireland Baldwin Confirm Relationship
The Fashion Beast Team
June 30, 2014
Fortunately for Williams, he “fell in love with the ensemble immediately.”
Broadway’s Rebel, Tellin’ You to Hear It: A Portrait of Saul Williams
Alex Suskind
June 17, 2014
It is often compared to the Wars of the Roses and its ensemble cast of villains, bunglers, and occasional heroes.
The ‘GOT’ Red Viper and Mountain Duel, and a History of Medieval Trial by Combat
Steven Isaac
June 3, 2014
They wanted an ensemble cast rather than a show driven by a few stars.
New York’s Greatest Show Or How They Did Not Screw Up ‘Guys and Dolls’
Ross Wetzsteon
April 6, 2014

Historical Examples of ensemble

Only, there was an over-elaboration, so that the ensemble was flamboyant.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
The ensemble, from this point, is one of a certain impressiveness.
The Cathedrals of Northern France
Francis Miltoun
There is a rehearsal called for the ensemble at—when is it, Rolie?
Jill the Reckless
P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
In its reality it is the ensemble of the conditions of society.
Feuerbach: The roots of the socialist philosophy
Frederick Engels
That the ensemble was businesslike and solid even my untrained eye could see.
The Riddle of the Sands
Erskine Childers

British Dictionary definitions for ensemble

ensemble

noun

all the parts of something considered together and in relation to the whole
a person's complete costume; outfit
1. the cast of a play other than the principals; supporting players
2. (as modifier)an ensemble role
music
1. a group of soloists singing or playing together
2. (as modifier)an ensemble passage
music the degree of precision and unity exhibited by a group of instrumentalists or singers performing togetherthe ensemble of the strings is good
the general or total effect of something made up of individual parts
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

all together or at once

adjective

(of a film or play) involving several separate but often interrelated story linesensemble comedy drama
involving no individual star but several actors whose roles are of equal importancefine ensemble playing

Word Origin for ensemble

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ensemble

mid-15c., as an adverb, "together, at the same time," from Middle French ensemblée "all the parts of a thing considered together," from Late Latin insimul "at the same time," from in- intensive prefix + simul "at the same time," related to similis (see similar). The noun is from 1703, "parts of a thing taken together;" musical sense in English first attested 1844. Of women's dress and accessories, from 1927.