encore

An encore is an additional performance given after the scheduled program, usually in response to sustained audience applause. It most often occurs at concerts or recitals, when musicians return to the stage to perform one or more extra pieces before the audience is finally dismissed. The encore is optional and depends on the performers and organizers.

The term comes from the French word encore, meaning again or more. In English, the word has been used since the 18th century to describe a request for additional material and the subsequent extra performance.

Practices vary by genre and venue. An encore can be spontaneous or prearranged, and the number of pieces is not fixed. In classical music, an encore is often a lighter or virtuosic piece that contrasts with the main program; in popular concerts, it may include a signature song or a crowd-pleaser. Some performances may be influenced by contracts, venue policies, or time constraints, while others are entirely at the artist’s discretion.

In contemporary usage, encore has also taken on broader meanings, sometimes denoting any extra content or revival beyond the main presentation, and it is occasionally used metaphorically in other contexts. Nonetheless, the encore remains a recognizable feature of live performance, signaling audience engagement and a performer’s willingness to extend the experience.