ensemble

1 of 2

noun

en·​sem·​ble än-ˈsäm-bəl 

äⁿ-

: a group producing a single effect: such as

a

: concerted music of two or more parts

b

: a complete costume of harmonizing or complementary clothing and accessories

c(1)

: the musicians engaged in the performance of a musical ensemble

(2)

: a group of supporting players, singers, or dancers

especially : corps de ballet

ensemble

2 of 2

adjective

: emphasizing the roles of all performers as a whole rather than a star performance

ensemble acting

Examples of ensemble in a Sentence

Noun

We went to listen to a new jazz ensemble.

She wore an elegant three-piece ensemble.

The actor performed an ensemble piece.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Diego Luna continued to anchor the underrated ensemble that helped Gilroy take viewers to new planets and the brink of cinema’s most beloved franchise without ever pandering. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025

Fran Drescher wears a stunning dark green sweater while on the blue carpet at the US Open on Aug. 20 in Flushing, N.Y. Taraji P. Henson stuns in a white ensemble at a meet and greet on Aug. 20 in Inglewood, Calif. —Brendan Le, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Adjective

Season one starred Ben Barnes (Shadow and Bone), Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds), Joe Freeman and and an ensemble cast that included Simone Miller (Run the Burbs), Fionn Laird (Under the Banner of Heaven), Jason Diaz, and Jane Luk. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2025

Plus, the best actress and actor awards were bestowed upon the ensemble cast of director Kukla’s Fantasy, namely Sarah Al Saleh, Aline Juhart, Mina Milovanović, and Mia Skrbinac, and Andrija Kuzmanović for his role in Yugo Florida, respectively. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French, "unity, cohesion, group, set, musical ensemble, outfit," noun derivative of ensemble "together, at the same time," going back to Old French, "with one another," going back to Vulgar Latin *insemul, reshaping of Latin insimul "in company, together," from in- in- entry 2 + simul "together, at the same time" — more at simultaneous

Note: The form *semul may represent an older form of simul preserved in popular Latin; see note at similar.

Adjective

from attributive use of ensemble entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1750, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1911, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ensemble

noun

en·​sem·​ble

än-ˈsäm-bəl

: a group of people or things making up a complete unit: as

a

: musicians that perform music in several parts

also : the music itself

b

: a set of clothes that look nice together

Etymology

Noun

from French ensemble "group, ensemble," from ensemble (adverb) "together," from Latin insimul (same meaning), from in- "in, into" and simul "at the same time, together" — related to assemble, simultaneous