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slang.fyi

encore

/ˈɒŋkɔːr/

Common

An extra performance at the end of a show after the artist has left the stage, prompted by crowd demand.

The 'fake exit' aspect is widely acknowledged and mocked online. Some artists have stopped doing staged encores entirely, which itself generates discourse.

Real-world examples4 examples
#ExampleWhat it meansSource
01they opened the encore with that song and i lost itThe choice of encore opener was an emotional or exciting surprise.x, 2024
02the fake encore ritual needs to die. just keep playing.The staged exit and return feels performative and outdated.reddit, 2023
03she submitted the report and we all chanted encorePlayfully demanding more work from someone who just finished something impressive.x, 2024
04no encore, no intermission, 22 songs straight. that is respect for your audienceAppreciating an artist who skipped theatrics and just played.x, 2023

Use it when

  • Describing the extra songs performed after the apparent end of a show.
  • Demanding more from anyone who has just finished something great.
  • Joking about the theatrical nature of the staged encore ritual.

Do not use it when

  • You mean a repeat performance on a different night.

Origin and context

From French, meaning 'again' or 'still'. Entered English via theatre and classical music in the 18th century. The modern rock concert encore became a standard convention in the late 20th century.

First seen
1700s
Confidence
high

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Use this stable URL to reference the entry.

https://slang.fyi/encore
Updated: 2026-08-29License: CC BY 4.0

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