troupe

American  

[troop] / trup /

noun

1. a company, band, or group of singers, actors, or other performers, especially one that travels about.

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verb (used without object)

trouped, trouping

1. to travel as a member of a theatrical company; barnstorm.

troupe British  

/ truːp /

noun

1. a company of actors or other performers, esp one that travels

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verb

1. (intr) (esp of actors) to move or travel in a group

Related Words

See troop.

Etymology

Origin of troupe

1815–25, < French: troop

Explanation

You can call a group of performers a troupe. The kids you dance with are your dance troupe, and the jugglers and clowns at your friend's party might be a circus troupe. If you love performing improvisational comedy, you may want to join a local improv troupe, and if you like the idea of caroling at Christmas time, you can form a troupe of singers to sing carols with in December. Troupe is a French word meaning "company of performers," which earlier meant "company of soldiers." It shares a root with troop.

Example Sentences

When their bus breaks down on the way to a showcase, a troupe of ballerinas led by “Dance Moms” alum and one-time Sia protégée Maddie Ziegler becomes stranded in a remote hotel-bar-dungeon-arms factory outside Budapest.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

The other nine are mixed bills pairing non-narrative works with “Firebird,” created for the troupe in 2012 by Alexei Ratmansky to Stravinsky’s familiar 1910 score.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Dancer Alyse Rockett tossed her phone on the seat next to me, revealing the material for which the troupe has been preparing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

The Pussycat Dolls were founded by Antin in 1995 as an all-female burlesque dance troupe.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

“He left my troupe three years ago. I haven’t seen him since.”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Related Words

• association
• band
• cast
• crew
• ensemble
• gang