repertoire

noun

rep·er·toire | \ ˈre-pər-ˌtwär

, ˈre-pə-\

Definition of repertoire

1a : 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

2a : 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

Synonyms Add This Word History to Your Repertoire More Example Sentences Learn More about repertoire

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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 under his or her belt, such as the different pitches a baseball pitcher can throw or the particular dishes that are a chef's specialty.

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

The new music director is expected to bring to the Met a high degree of enthusiasm and refinement across a wide variety of repertoire. — Charles Passy, WSJ, "Tattooed Maestro Aims to Take Met Opera Into New Era," 4 Dec. 2018 Earlier this year, Alsop’s recordings of Bernstein’s repertoire were released in a boxed set from Naxos. — Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, "From Bernstein to Broadway to Latin jazz," 12 July 2018 Beyoncé’s repertoire is often called upon by newlyweds looking for a first dance song, but rarely does the superstar herself deign to take on the role of wedding singer. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Beyoncé’s Performance Style at Isha Ambani’s Wedding Was a Celebration of Indian Couture," 10 Dec. 2018 In recent years, technology and social media have comprised a greater portion of Mr. Chopra’s repertoire. — Alexandra Wolfe, WSJ, "Deepak Chopra’s Path to Enlightenment Runs Through an App," 23 Nov. 2018 From Gabrielle Union and Bella Hadid to Jennifer Lopez and Chrissy Teigen, our favorite celebrities are showing the world that ponytails are a worthy part of any hairstyle repertoire. — Samantha Sasso, refinery29.com, "15 Times Celebrities Made The Ponytail Cool For Summer," 9 July 2018 Zukerman, who is in his ninth season as principal guest conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, began offering trio repertoire with Forsyth and Cheng in 2011 and officially launched the Zukerman Trio in 2013. — Greg Crawford, Detroit Free Press, "Plan your weekend: Allee Willis, Adam Carolla, Flower Day at Eastern Market," 16 May 2018 His repertoire has never been large: family, family, family, Newark, Newark, Newark, Jew, Jew, Jew. — New York Times, "Philip Roth, Towering Novelist Who Explored Lust, Jewish Life and America, Dies at 85," 22 May 2018 But most of all, his repertoire is the art of the pass, as it has not been conceived and executed by a man of his size since Magic Johnson and the Showtime Los Angeles Lakers of more than a quarter-century ago. — Bill Livingston, cleveland.com, "LeBron James and the toolbox, the repertoire, the sweep: Bill Livingston (photos)," 7 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'repertoire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.