ensemble

1 of 2

noun

en·sem·ble än-ˈsäm-bəl

äⁿ-

Synonyms of ensemble

: a group producing a single effect: such as

: concerted music of two or more parts

: a complete costume of harmonizing or complementary clothing and accessories

c(1)

: the musicians engaged in the performance of a musical ensemble

(2)

: a group of supporting players, singers, or dancers

especially : corps de ballet

ensemble

2 of 2

adjective

: emphasizing the roles of all performers as a whole rather than a star performance

ensemble acting

Examples of ensemble in a Sentence

Noun We went to listen to a new jazz ensemble. She wore an elegant three-piece ensemble. The actor performed an ensemble piece.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

The low-budget movie follows an ensemble of misfit counselors on the last day at a summer camp in 1981. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026 Or glam up a simple ensemble for a night out with a sparkly stud, like Ayo. — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026

Adjective

With a large ensemble cast, everyone gets their due, including Kurt Russell as late-arriving big agriculture antagonist Dob McCoy. — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2026 Brunson continues to star as part of the ensemble while working with fellow showrunners Halpern and Schumacker, proving that there is still a space for more traditional models of network TV to thrive in the streaming age. — Matt Minton, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ensemble

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French, "unity, cohesion, group, set, musical ensemble, outfit," noun derivative of ensemble "together, at the same time," going back to Old French, "with one another," going back to Vulgar Latin *insemul, reshaping of Latin insimul "in company, together," from in- in- entry 2 + simul "together, at the same time" — more at simultaneous

Note: The form *semul may represent an older form of simul preserved in popular Latin; see note at similar.

Adjective

from attributive use of ensemble entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1750, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of ensemble was in 1750

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ensemble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ensemble. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ensemble

noun

en·sem·ble

än-ˈsäm-bəl

: a group of people or things making up a complete unit: as

: musicians that perform music in several parts

also : the music itself

: a set of clothes that look nice together

Etymology

Noun

from French ensemble "group, ensemble," from ensemble (adverb) "together," from Latin insimul (same meaning), from in- "in, into" and simul "at the same time, together" — related to assemble, simultaneous

ensemble

noun

adjective

Examples of ensemble in a Sentence

Word History

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Kids Definition

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