ensemble

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

noun

, plural en·sem·bles [ahn-, sahm, -, sahm, -b, uh, lz, -, sahmbz, ah, n, -, sahn, -bl, uh].

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

   Synonyms: aggregate, entirety, totality

2. 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.

3. a set of furniture.
4. Music.
   1. the united performance of an entire group of singers, musicians, etc.
   2. the group so performing:

      a string ensemble.

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

ensemble

/ ɑ̃sɑ̃blə; ɒnˈsɒmbəl /

noun

1. all the parts of something considered together and in relation to the whole
2. a person's complete costume; outfit
3. 1. the cast of a play other than the principals; supporting players
   2. ( as modifier )

      an ensemble role

4. music
   1. a group of soloists singing or playing together
   2. ( as modifier )

      an ensemble passage

5. music the degree of precision and unity exhibited by a group of instrumentalists or singers performing together

   the ensemble of the strings is good

6. the general or total effect of something made up of individual parts
7. 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

1. all together or at once

adjective

1. (of a film or play) involving several separate but often interrelated story lines

   ensemble comedy drama

2. involving no individual star but several actors whose roles are of equal importance

   fine ensemble playing

Word History and Origins

Origin of ensemble¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ensemble¹

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

Example Sentences

In 1968, the two men convened an impromptu ensemble that they knew might destabilized their reputations.

From Los Angeles Times

“A Man on the Inside” features an ensemble cast, including Stephen McKinley Henderson, left, as Calbert.

From Los Angeles Times

Brody’s best awards year post-“Pianist” included Emmy and SAG nominations for playing illusionist Harry Houdini in the History Channel miniseries “Houdini” and a SAG ensemble nomination for frequent collaborator Wes Anderson’s film “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”

From Los Angeles Times

By mid-decade, he was playing with a variety of swing bands, as well as the Luis Russell big band — one of his rare extended associations with a large ensemble.

From Los Angeles Times

With the notable exception of David Thaxton’s Max, Norma’s watchdog servant and curator of her glory days, the ensemble that populates this Hollywood world is young, diverse and costumed to reflect today’s incoming generation of entertainment industry dreamers.

From Los Angeles Times