repertoire

noun

rep·​er·​toire ˈre-pər-ˌtwär 

ˈre-pə-

1

a

: a list or supply of dramas, operas, pieces, or parts that a company or person is prepared to perform

b

: a supply of skills, devices, or expedients

part of the repertoire of a quarterback

broadly : amount, supply

an endless repertoire of summer clothes

c

: a list or supply of capabilities

the instruction repertoire of a computer

2

a

: the complete list or supply of dramas, operas, or musical works available for performance

our modern orchestral repertoire

b

: the complete list or supply of skills, devices, or ingredients used in a particular field, occupation, or practice

the repertoire of literary criticism

Did you know?

Add This Word History to Your Repertoire

The Late Latin noun repertorium, meaning "list," has given us two words that can be used to speak of the broad range of things that someone or something can do. One is repertory, perhaps most commonly known as a word for a company that presents several different plays, operas, or other works at one theater, or the theater where such works are performed. Repertoire, which comes from repertorium via French, once meant the same thing as repertory but later came to refer to the range of skills that a person has, such as the different pitches a baseball pitcher can throw or the particular dishes that are a chef's specialty.

Synonyms

• budget
• force
• fund
• inventory
• pool
• reservoir
• stock
• supply

Examples of repertoire in a Sentence

In later years, he sang in English and expanded his repertoire to include rhythm and blues, rock and even skiffle music. —John Swenson, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 1993

Jackson is best known for a career that included radio and television concerts and a repertoire that leaned heavily upon songs such as "Amazing Grace" and "The Day is Past and Gone." —Leslie Williams, (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, 12 May 1993

Like resident stock companies, they presented a number of plays in repertoire; the genre of the programs tended to vary, although there seemed to be a preference for popular melodramas … —George Mann, Theatre Lethbridge, 1993

Grenadine … is bright red in color and has a sweet, fresh flavor. It is completely non-alcoholic, but plays an essential part in any good barman's repertoire. —The Encyclopedia of Herbs, Spices, & Flavorings, 1992

The fiery orators taking their turn at the microphone wore work shirts and overalls. The college choir sang a repertoire of early Joan Baez. —John Krich, Music in Every Room, 1984

The band's repertoire includes both classic and modern jazz.

He has a limited repertoire when it comes to cooking.

Recent Examples on the Web

His repertoire of recipes includes salads, dressings, fresh pastas and marinara sauce. —Brendan Le, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024

If a reliever faces the opposing team too often, no matter how fresh that reliever might be, the opposing batters might adjust to his repertoire and become more likely to hit him hard. —Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024

After Garcia’s death, the other members of the Dead soldiered on, sometimes together and sometimes in their own bands, playing many of the songs in their repertoire. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024

Despite the couple's major hits for the Everly Brothers and other notable artists (Wake Up, Little Susie, Bye-Bye Love, and more), Rocky Top is decidedly the most successful tune in their 800-song repertoire. —Carolanne Griffith Roberts, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French répertoire, from Late Latin repertorium — see repertory

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

repertoire

noun

rep·​er·​toire ˈrep-ə(r)-ˌtwär 

1

: a list or supply of dramas, operas, pieces, or parts that a company or person is prepared to perform

2

: a supply of skills or devices possessed by a person

passing is part of the repertoire of a quarterback