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

Though its origins are, fittingly, as fuzzy as the velvet that makes up the prettiest gift-bearing socks, the tale is certainly worth adding to every yule-time repertoire. — Vogue, "Day 8: Stuff Your Stockings With Care," 12 Nov. 2018 Lip glosses have become one of the most popular types of products in the Kylie Cosmetics repertoire. — Marci Robin, Allure, "Kylie Jenner Teases New High Gloss Lip Glosses Launching in November," 31 Oct. 2018 Those beloved Viennese cherubs are back in Seattle, with a single performance of varied repertoire under the direction of Oliver Stech. — The Seattle Times, "Everything you need to know about the hottest tickets in town: Seattle events for November 2018," 26 Oct. 2018 An eminent, plush-toned vocalist and pianist, Mr. Sneed has a broad repertoire, encompassing Christian hymns and modern gospel, jazz standards and Western classical. — New York Times, "13 Pop, Rock and Jazz Concerts to Check Out in N.Y.C. This Weekend," 28 June 2018 Britton relies on a six-pitch repertoire to keep hitters off balance. — Bob Narang, Lake County News-Sun, "Warren's Caitlyn Britton is the News-Sun Softball Player of the Year," 27 June 2018 Boasting a four-pitch repertoire, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Burnes has spent this season refining his weakest off-speed pitch: the changeup. — Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect Corbin Burnes rolls with the punches," 26 June 2018 Your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy Hector Rondon's indoctrination into the Astros' bullpen is nearing its completion, the former Cubs closer now armed with a repertoire to combat whatever hitters he's asked to face. — Chandler Rome, Houston Chronicle, "Hector Rondon's changeup development a key to his success with Astros," 1 June 2018 Some conventions are easy, like a new word, and can be adopted into a bot’s repertoire after hearing it only once. — Cathleen O'grady, Ars Technica, "Linguistic bots explain why big groups produce simple grammar," 5 Feb. 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.