repertoire

noun rep·er·toire \ ˈre-pər-ˌtwär , ˈre-pə- \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of repertoire

1 a : 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

2 a : 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

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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

As a result, the repertoire for such groups is relatively paltry, and Third Coast have always actively sought out new work.

— peter margasak, Chicago Reader, "Eight hands make light work for Third Coast Percussion," 9 May 2018
At the Florentine Opera, Florescu expanded the repertoire and reputation of a company that was founded in 1933 as the Italian Opera Chorus.

— anne midgette, chicagotribune.com, "Director of Milwaukee's Florentine Opera abruptly resigns," 9 May 2018
Second-year center Joel Embiid, who played in only 31 games last season, lacks the repertoire and the refinement to carry a team for four quarters.

— marcus hayes, Philly.com, "Young Sixers team isn't ready to compete with disciplined Celtics | Marcus Hayes," 7 May 2018
There were times in my life where the repertoire was everything.

— paul miller, The Verge, "Hearing music again," 6 May 2018
Performing great repertoire with his peers in the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra not only opened his eyes to the wonders of classical music.

— zachary lewis, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra preps young musicians for life," 4 May 2018
Batman Ninja—the first theatrically released (in Japan at least), full-length anime film in the Dark Knight's repertoire—finally hit streaming and VOD services (Amazon, iTunes, Google Play) in the US this week.

— nathan mattise, Ars Technica, "There’s one setpiece-and-superhero packed flick to watch this week—Batman Ninja," 29 Apr. 2018
Talented dancers will demonstrate the basics of ballet and perform excerpts from their spring show and the company's diverse repertoire.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The West Hartford Edition," 24 Apr. 2018
The Mariners got a solid start from Felix Hernandez, who worked the first five innings scoreless, allowing just two hits and using his entire repertoire to get a mixture of groundball outs and strikeouts.

— ryan divish, The Seattle Times, "Mariners offense comes alive in last two innings of 6-2 victory over Rangers," 21 Apr. 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.

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.