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

American Ballet Theatre’s March engagement at the David H. Koch Theater, through Saturday, marks the addition of a third New York season for the troupe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

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

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

Children holding red envelopes huddled together along the side of the street as they waited for a troupe of lion dancers.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

I spent a long time thinking about the Chandrian, about what they had done to my troupe, what they had taken from me.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Related Words

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