repertoire

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 Since then, his cheese repertoire has expanded, especially after making the Dairy State his permanent home in 2006. — Jennifer Rude Klett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Are You Ready For Some Football Food? In The Kitchen With LeRoy Butler," 9 Sep. 2020 Gomez and her stylist, Kate Young, are always seeking ways to expand her repertoire, and the striped two-piece accessorized with a sailor hat does that effectively. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Selena Gomez Brings Back the Vintage Bikini," 27 Aug. 2020 Brown featured a repertoire of 4-foot-wide signs and banners. — al, "‘Jesus Man,’ street preacher of Lakeshore Drive, dies," 11 Aug. 2020 Expanding your cooking repertoire, tending a garden, or giving an old piece of furniture a facelift can all satisfy your need for stimulation. — Tarot Astrologers, chicagotribune.com, "Daily horoscope for August 29, 2020," 29 Aug. 2020 Or the grotesque display of tastelessness that capped off the four-day convention in the form of fireworks and an opera singer with a wedding-ceremony repertoire. — Natalie Gontcharova, refinery29.com, "Ivanka Trump Says She Created Jobs For Women. The Truth Is More Complicated.," 28 Aug. 2020 GIR Silicone kitchen tool company GIR, which usually makes spatulas, spoons, straws and baking mats, has added a reusable face mask to its repertoire of products. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, "Uniqlo now among retailers making face masks for the general public," 24 Aug. 2020 Our bodies are equipped with an astounding repertoire of B cells capable of making up to one quadrillion different antibodies. — Jeffrey M. Sturek, The Conversation, "I’m a lung doctor testing the blood from COVID-19 survivors as a treatment for the sick – a century old idea that could be a fast track to treatment," 21 Aug. 2020 New York landscape and new content linked to its 2020 repertoire and artists. — Heidi Waleson, WSJ, "Abroad at Home: Summer Festivals Still Sing," 14 Aug. 2020

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.