Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A demand by an audience for an additional performance, usually expressed by applause.
  • noun An additional performance in response to an audience's demand.
  • transitive verb To demand an encore of.
  • interjection Used to demand an additional performance.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A call by an audience for a repetition of some part of a performance.
  • noun A repeated performance; a repetition in or as if in response to a recall: as, the conductor refused to give any encores.
  • Again; once more: used in calling for a repetition of a particular part in a theatrical or musical performance.
  • To call for a repetition of (a particular part of an entertainment).

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A call or demand (as, by continued applause) for a repetition.
  • adverb Once more; again; -- used by the auditors and spectators of plays, concerts, and other entertainments, to call for a repetition of a particular part.
  • transitive verb To call for a repetition or reappearance of.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A brief extra performance, done after the main performance is complete.
  • interjection said by audience members after a performance Please perform again!
  • verb To call for an extra performance or repetition.
  • verb To call for an encore.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun an extra or repeated performance; usually given in response to audience demand
  • verb request an encore, from a performer

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[French, still, yet, again, probably from Vulgar Latin *hinc ad hōram, from that to this hour : Latin hinc, from here (from hic, this) + Latin ad, to; see ad– + Latin hōram, accusative of hōra, hour; see hour.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From French encore ("more, again").

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word encore.

Examples

  • I found that a lot of composers in this project wanted to redefine the term 'encore.'

    News 2011

  • I found that a lot of composers in this project wanted to redefine the term 'encore.'

    News 2011

  • The Purpose Prize recognizes social innovators over 60 years old who are engaged in what it calls encore careers, solving social issues.

    Durangoherald.com 2009

  • Some positive reviews might mean a Super Bowl encore is on the way.

    As change comes for Steelers, can winning ways be saved? 2008

  • Similarly, when you're listening to music played across a century from the ghost of a drowning ship, to allow your musicians to return for an encore is ... not quite right.

    fudge & marshmallow creme recipes soapturtle 2007

  • Actually, what we're doing for an encore is having the whole fambly come down for a day or two.

    Well. 2006

  • January 12, 2005 10: 09 antitext: ooh. look it's orbital. good stuff! and for those interested, and mp3 of the encore from the last orbital show can be found here.

    Orbital Sander or Orbital Lander? (Music (For Robots)) 2005

  • It was about 1710 that the word encore was introduced at the operatic performances in the Haymarket, and very much objected to by plain - going Englishmen.

    Essays from 'The Guardian' Walter Pater 1866

  • It’s not often that the encore is truly a showstopper above and beyond the preceding program’s actual content, but it was here.

    Archive 2007-03-01 2007

  • It’s not often that the encore is truly a showstopper above and beyond the preceding program’s actual content, but it was here.

    Old Masters 2007

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • "Now can I get an encore, do you want more

    Cookin' raw with the Brooklyn boy

    So for one last time I need y'all to roar"

    January 10, 2007

  • Quelqu'un ma dit que tu mamais encore...

    -Carla Bruni

    July 26, 2009