repertoire

American  

[rep-er-twahr, -twawr, rep-uh-] / ˈrɛp ərˌtwɑr, -ˌtwɔr, ˈrɛp ə- /

Or répertoire

noun

1. the list of dramas, operas, parts, pieces, etc., that a company, actor, singer, or the like, is prepared to perform.

2. the entire stock of works existing in a particular artistic field.

   A new play has been added to the theatrical repertoire.

3. the entire stock of skills, techniques, or devices used in a particular field or occupation.

   a magician's repertoire.

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repertoire British  

/ ˈrɛpəˌtwɑː /

noun

1. all the plays, songs, operas, or other works collectively that a company, actor, singer, dancer, etc, has prepared and is competent to perform

2. the entire stock of things available in a field or of a kind

   the comedian's repertoire of jokes was becoming stale

3. denoting the performance of two or more plays, ballets, etc, by the same company in the same venue on different evenings over a period of time

   ``Nutcracker'' returns to Covent Garden over Christmas in repertoire with ``Giselle''

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Etymology

Origin of repertoire

1840–50; < French < Late Latin repertōrium catalogue, inventory. See repertory

Explanation

Repertoire refers to the full supply of what you can do. A singer's repertoire is all the songs he can sing. A chef's repertoire is what she knows how to cook. Repertoire was borrowed from French répertoire, from Late Latin repertorium "an inventory." The Late Latin word is also the source of English repertory, a group of actors that perform many plays, each performed for a short time. The second "r" in both repertoire and repertory is often not pronounced.

Example Sentences

The Iraqi repertoire also draws on very old songs, which the musicians have layered Irish elements over.

From BBC • Jan. 26, 2026

Subtly, though, this introduces a new move to their repertoire: honest intimacy.

From Salon • Dec. 26, 2025

To be an organist, he writes, “requires being one-third interpreter of classical repertoire, one-third jazz improviser, and one-third theologian.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 24, 2025

The school’s in-house management program, Colburn Artists, aims to shepherd musicians like him toward professional life, helping them build repertoire and shape his image.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 24, 2025

Sometimes he played the part of an agent or manager, correcting my technique or suggesting songs for my repertoire, even advising me about my health.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Related Words

• repertory