repertory: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Low frequency, academic/technical register)Formal; used primarily in academic, artistic, and technical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “repertory” mean?
A collection or store of items, particularly of works (plays, music, skills, or facts) that are ready to be used or performed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A collection or store of items, particularly of works (plays, music, skills, or facts) that are ready to be used or performed.
A type of theatre or system of theatre production where a permanent company performs a rotating selection of plays from its repertoire over a season. It can also refer to a repository or collection in a non-artistic context (e.g., a repertory of medical knowledge).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'repertory' is more commonly associated with theatre ('repertory theatre', 'rep theatre'). In American English, the theatrical term is less common, with 'repertoire' often used more broadly. The American usage leans slightly more towards the 'store of information' meaning.
Connotations
UK: Strongly theatrical, often nostalgic or associated with traditional actor training. US: More neutral/technical, less specific to theatre.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English due to the cultural institution of 'repertory theatre'.
Grammar
How to Use “repertory” in a Sentence
[repertory of + NOUN (works, skills, information)][perform/play in + repertory][establish/build up a + repertory]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “repertory” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She trained in the repertory system for years.
- It was a classic repertory theatre production.
American English
- He got his start in a small repertory company in Chicago.
- The festival has a repertory format.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly 'The consultant drew from a vast repertory of case studies.'
Academic
Common in arts/humanities. 'The study catalogued the composer's entire repertory of chamber works.'
Everyday
Very rare. 'Repertoire' is far more common in everyday speech.
Technical
Used in theatre studies, musicology, and some sciences (e.g., behavioral repertory in psychology).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “repertory”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “repertory”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “repertory”
- Using 'repertory' interchangeably with 'repertoire' in all contexts (e.g., 'He has a large repertory of jokes' – 'repertoire' is better).
- Misspelling as 'reperatory' or 'repertorie'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Repertoire' is the collection of works a performer or company is prepared to present. 'Repertory' can refer to that collection but more specifically denotes the system of theatre production where a company performs multiple plays in rotation. 'Repertory' is also used for other types of stored collections (e.g., knowledge).
No, it's a low-frequency (C2 level) word used primarily in formal, academic, or artistic contexts, especially related to theatre.
No, 'repertory' is exclusively a noun. The related adjective is 'repertorial' (very rare). The adverbial phrase is 'in repertory'.
It describes a method of scheduling theatre productions where multiple plays are alternately performed by the same company during a season, as opposed to a single play running continuously.
A collection or store of items, particularly of works (plays, music, skills, or facts) that are ready to be used or performed.
Repertory is usually formal; used primarily in academic, artistic, and technical contexts. in register.
Repertory: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrep.ə.tri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrep.ər.tɔːr.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In repertory (referring to a theatrical performance schedule)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a REPORTory: a place where reports (or plays, or facts) are stored and can be called up for duty.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/ART IS A STORAGE SPACE (repository, archive, library).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'repertory' most specifically and correctly used?