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 singer and his dancers went with vibrant ensembles to coincide with the bright and colorful performance. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 12 June 2026

If Chinese martial artist and erstwhile child star Xie Miao comes off best in the ensemble of a film not overly concerned with the more cerebral aspects of performance, that’s in part because he’s not saddled with any of the multilingually tin-eared dialogue. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 June 2026

Adjective

Also in the ensemble are Atchareeya Potipipittanakorn as Ang, a politician and human rights lawyer; Phollawat Manuprasert as Rit, Mek’s father and a high-ranking judge forced to choose between his principles and his son; and Paopetch Charoensook as Techin, the police chief’s son. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 June 2026

The ensemble cast also includes Kerri Kenney-Silver, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Thomas Lennon, Ben Wang, Michael Ian Black and Fred Melamed, alongside a number of surprise celebrity cameos and reunions with Marino and Wain's former castmates from the 1990s sketch comedy troupe The State. —Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 11 June 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