repertoire
REP-er-twahr
/ˈrep.ə.twɑːr/
The complete collection of songs, plays, or pieces that a performer or group is prepared to perform.
Refers to a musician's total master library of mastered works, accumulated over time.
The story behind the word. Repertoire originates from Late Latin 'repertorium' (catalog, inventory), derived from 'reperire' (to find again). It entered French as 'répertoire' to describe a theater's catalog of ready plays before entering English in the 19th century.
Word relationships
- repertory: Repertory is a near-synonym often used for theater companies rotating multiple stock plays.
- stock: Stock refers broadly to standard available goods or routines without artistic framing.
Commonly confused with
- setlist: Repertoire is the full range of songs learned; a setlist is today's specific show outline.
Word family
- repertorial (adjective): Relating to or consisting of a repertoire.
Collocations
- vast repertoire
- expand one's repertoire
- standard repertoire
- operatic repertoire
Idioms & expressions
- in one's repertoire
Example sentences
- "The pianist boasts an impressive repertoire spanning classical masterworks and modern avant-garde compositions." Classical Music Biography
Memory hook
A REPORTable catalog of song expertise. The full inventory of songs.
When not to use
Do not confuse with a setlist, which is only a short selection chosen for a single evening.
Fun facts
- In non-musical contexts, people talk about having soft skills or comedy jokes in their 'repertoire'.
Explore more words
collection, rehearsal, rehearse, playbook, repository, Playback
Also appears in
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