ensemble

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

/ ɑnˈsɑm bəl, -ˈsɑmb; French ɑ̃ˈsɑ̃ blə /

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.

the united performance of an entire group of singers, musicians, etc.
the group so performing: a string ensemble.

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

Nearby words

ensanguine, enschede, ensconce, enscroll, ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem, ensemble, ensemble acting, ensenada, ensepulcher, enserf, ensheathe

Origin of ensemble

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

SYNONYMS FOR ensemble

1 totality, entirety, aggregate.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ensemble ON THESAURUS.COM

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ensembles

Zoe Saldana has also recently praised sci-fi movies for the depth and breadth of women in its ensembles.
Science-Fiction TV Finds a New Muse: Feminism|David Levesley|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ensembles are of vestigial interest in this new pop culture.
Van Dyke Parks on How Songwriters Are Getting Screwed in the Digital Age|Van Dyke Parks|June 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These ensembles are not as radical or strictly Hollywood as they may seem.
Salt's Spy Style|Stephanie LaCava|July 23, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Like any cutting-edge trendsetter, Twain soon realized that his ensembles might not always please the pedestrian audience.
America's First Modern Celebrity|Laura Skandera Trombley|March 20, 2010|DAILY BEAST

By the beginning of the 18th century the desire was strong for a more expressive keyboard instrument to use in ensembles.
Harpsichords and Clavichords|Cynthia A. Hoover
We find none of the set forms of the later opera seria, no regular arie, no duets, no ensembles.
Life Of Mozart, Vol. 2 (of 3)|Otto Jahn
The ensembles are of a far higher character than the solos, both as regards characterisation and musical execution.
Life Of Mozart, Vol. 1 (of 3)|Otto Jahn
After we get the numbers taught—that is, the songs—then I start to teach the ensembles to dance the different routines.
The Art of Stage Dancing|Ned Wayburn
It was an effect held in high esteem by Rossini, who introduced it constantly in his operas—witness his overtures and ensembles.
Style in Singing|W. E. Haslam

British Dictionary definitions for ensembles

ensemble

/ (ɒnˈsɒmbəl, French ɑ̃sɑ̃blə) /

noun

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

a person's complete costume; outfit

the cast of a play other than the principals; supporting players
(as modifier)an ensemble role

music

a group of soloists singing or playing together
(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

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
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

ensemble

noun, plural en·sem·bles [ahn-sahm-sahm-buhlz, -sahmbz; French ahn-sahn-bluh] /ɑnˈsɑmˈsɑm bəlz, -ˈsɑmbz; French ɑ̃ˈsɑ̃ blə/.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of ensemble

SYNONYMS FOR ensemble

Examples from the Web for ensembles

British Dictionary definitions for ensembles

ensemble

noun

adverb

adjective

Word Origin for ensemble