Definition of repertoire
1a : a list or supply of dramas, operas, pieces, or parts that a company or person is prepared to performb : a supply of skills, devices, or expedients part of the repertoire of a quarterback; broadly : amount, supply an endless repertoire of summer clothesc : 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 repertoireb : the complete list or supply of skills, devices, or ingredients used in a particular field, occupation, or practice the repertoire of literary criticism
From the M-W Editors
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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 of repertoire from the Web
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Redeemer’s adult and youth choirs will lead a liturgy using a form that has been practiced in England and around the world for more than 500 years and including some of the favorite music of the Anglican choral repertoire.
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Inventec, the Taipei manufacturer that already makes the AirPod wireless headphones, will add the speaker to its Apple repertoire, the people said.
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Inventec Corp., the Taipei manufacturer that already makes the AirPod wireless headphones, will add the speaker to its Apple repertoire, the people said.
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Across the United States, opera companies are turning to smaller-scale, more unusual works to supplement or even replace the traditional repertoire.
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In the repertoire of Renaissance cartographers, fierce mythical beasts—from sea serpents to manticores—represented dangers of unknown worlds.
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Practical skills such as sewing, carpentry and cooking are always great to add to your repertoire.
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Williams, a newcomer, can sing every note of the Baker repertoire and can dance the Charleston to within an inch of her life.
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The top seller at the gift shop on day one: the $20 program guide, which lists all the competitors, their recital repertoire and hundreds of facts about the competition.
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.
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.
Origin and Etymology of repertoire
French répertoire, from Late Latin repertorium —see repertory
Other Performing Arts Terms
REPERTOIRE Defined for English Language Learners
repertoire
playDefinition of repertoire for English Language Learners
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: all the plays, songs, dances, etc., that a performer or group of performers knows and can perform
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: all the things that a person is able to do
REPERTOIRE Defined for Kids
repertoire
playDefinition of repertoire for Students
: a list or supply of plays, operas, or pieces that a company or person is prepared to perform
Learn More about repertoire
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See words that rhyme with repertoire Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for repertoire Spanish Central: Translation of repertoire Nglish: Translation of repertoire for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of repertoire for Arabic speakers
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