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

The researchers achieved 61 percent accuracy with a single organoid but reached 83 percent when combining responses from an ensemble of three organoids. —Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026

Though Atonement came out 19 years ago, the green silk dress worn by Keira Knightley’s character lives rent-free in my head as one of the most luxurious ensembles to be featured in film. —Michelle Baricevic, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026

Adjective

Additionally, Brandon Flynn (13 Reasons Why) and Murray Bartlett (The Last of Us, The White Lotus) have been revealed as part of the ensemble cast. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026

The ensemble-cum-chorus, burdened with overblown asylum imagery, is sometimes called upon to inject a circus-like atmosphere, complete with acrobatics. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026

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