Ensemble
ahn-SAHM-buhl
/ɒnˈsɒmbl/
A unit of complementary clothing pieces worn together; a complete outfit.
Emphasizes how separate garments, shoes, and accessories work harmoniously together as a unified whole.
The story behind the word. Derived from French 'ensemble' (meaning 'together'), which came from Latin 'insimul' ('at the same time'). The word entered English in the 18th century to describe theatrical or musical groups performing together as a cohesive unit. By the mid-19th century, fashion writers adopted it to describe outfits composed of harmonizing garments.
Word relationships
- outfit: Outfit is informal and everyday; ensemble implies curated aesthetic harmony among all components.
- attire: Attire refers to general clothing worn, while ensemble specifies a carefully coordinated group of pieces.
Commonly confused with
- Garment: A garment is a single piece of clothing (like trousers), whereas an ensemble is a complete combination of garments.
Collocations
- stylish ensemble
- complete ensemble
- chic ensemble
- winter ensemble
Example sentences
- "She wore an elegant emerald green dress with matching velvet pumps, completing an eye-catching evening ensemble." Red Carpet Review
- "The chamber music ensemble wore matching monochrome attire to maintain focus on their performance." Musical Performance
Memory hook
ENSEMBLE: garments put together like musicians playing IN-SEMBLE (together). Garments working together in harmony.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a single, isolated clothing item like a plain pair of socks.
Fun facts
- In theater and opera, 'ensemble cast' refers to performers who contribute equally without a single dominant star—just as a fashion ensemble values every piece equally.
Related words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.