repertoire

repertoire — noun

1. the body of music, plays, dances, and other creative works that a performer or g

1.nounB2
Definition

the body of music, plays, dances, and other creative works that a performer or group has learned and is ready to present

Example

Apinya spent years building a piano repertoire that ranges from Baroque to contemporary jazz.

repertoire + range from...to — showing scope of collection

The theatre company's repertoire includes three classic Chinese operas and two modern dance pieces.

repertoire + includes — listing contents

Common collocations
  • classical repertoire
  • piano repertoire
  • stage repertoire
  • standard repertoire
  • operatic repertoire
Synonyms
  • collection

    more general; does not imply performance readiness

  • repertory

    more technical; often used for a theatre or company's full list

  • catalogue

    emphasises an organised list rather than the performer's knowledge

Grammar Patterns

repertoire + of + noun

Usage Note

This sense is most commonly used in the context of music, theatre, and other performing arts. The word is nearly always singular even when referring to many items.

Common Mistakes

The band played a repertoire of five songs last night.
The band played a set of five songs last night.
'repertoire' refers to the total body of works a performer can draw from, not the specific pieces performed on one occasion.

2. the complete range of skills, methods, or approaches that a person or organizati

2.nounB2
Definition

the complete range of skills, methods, or approaches that a person or organization has available to use

Example

As a chef, Folake's repertoire of cooking techniques includes both Japanese knife skills and French pastry methods.

repertoire of [skill domain] — typical pattern for abilities

A good teacher's repertoire should include various ways to explain the same concept to different students.

Common collocations
  • professional repertoire
  • teaching repertoire
  • cooking repertoire
  • broaden one's repertoire
  • limited repertoire
Synonyms
  • range

    broader and more neutral; does not imply active command

  • arsenal

    similar but suggests strategic or combative use

  • skill set

    more modern and specific to job-related abilities

  • scope

    emphasises the extent or breadth rather than the contents

Grammar Patterns

repertoire + of + noun

Usage Note

This metaphorical sense extends the performance meaning to any field of activity. It is often followed by 'of' plus a domain noun (e.g., 'repertoire of skills', 'repertoire of strategies').

Common Mistakes

He has a wide repertoire of experiences in different countries.
He has a wide range of experiences in different countries.
'repertoire' is for skills and methods one can actively use, not for passive experiences.

Word family

  • repertory
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

While 'repertoire', 'range', 'arsenal', 'skill set', and 'scope' all describe a collection or breadth of abilities, they differ in connotation. 'Repertoire' implies active command — skills the person can draw on readily, much like a performer's prepared pieces. 'Range' is the most neutral and broadest term, simply describing the extent from one limit to another. 'Arsenal' adds a strategic or competitive flavour, as if the skills are weapons to be deployed. 'Skill set' is a modern, job-market term that refers narrowly to a package of related professional abilities. 'Scope' focuses on the outer limits of what someone can do rather than the specific items inside. For example: 'Her repertoire of teaching strategies includes group work and one-on-one coaching' (ready-to-use methods); 'Her range of experience covers five countries' (breadth of exposure); 'His arsenal of negotiation tactics won the deal' (strategic tools); 'The job requires a skill set in data analysis' (specific qualification).

range ↗arsenal ↗skill setscope ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • build a repertoire
  • expand one's repertoire
  • add to one's repertoire
  • broaden one's repertoire
  • in one's repertoire
  • draw from one's repertoire

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word entered English in the mid-1800s from French 'répertoire', meaning a list or catalogue. The French word came from Latin 'repertorium', an inventory or list of things found, which itself derives from 'reperire' (to find or discover). The shift from a simple list to a performer's prepared collection happened in French theatre circles before English adopted both the word and its performance meaning. The modern metaphorical use for any set of skills emerged in the 20th century.