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View synonyms for

instrumental

[in-struh-men-tl]

adjective

  1. serving or acting as an instrument or means; useful; helpful.

    Synonyms: , ,
  2. performed on or written for a musical instrument or instruments.

    instrumental music.

  3. of or relating to an instrument or tool.

  4. Grammar.

    1. (in certain inflected languages, as Old English and Russian) noting or pertaining to a case having as its distinctive function the indication of means or agency, as Old English beseah blīthe andweitan “looked with a happy countenance.”

    2. noting the affix or other element characteristic of this case, or a word containing such an element.

    3. similar to such a case form in function or meaning, as the Latin instrumental ablative, 徱ō, “by means of a sword.”

    4. (in case grammar) pertaining to the semantic role of a noun phrase that indicates the inanimate, nonvolitional, immediate cause of the action expressed by a verb, as the rock in The rock broke the window or in I broke the window with the rock.



noun

  1. Grammar.

    1. the instrumental case.

    2. a word in the instrumental case.

    3. a construction of similar meaning.

  2. a musical composition played by an instrument or a group of instruments.

instrumental

/ ˌɪԲٰəˈɛԳə /

adjective

  1. serving as a means or influence; helpful

  2. of, relating to, or characterized by an instrument or instruments

  3. played by or composed for musical instruments

  4. grammar denoting a case of nouns, etc, in certain inflected languages, indicating the instrument used in performing an action, usually translated into English using the prepositions with or by means of

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a piece of music composed for instruments rather than for voices

  2. grammar

    1. the instrumental case

    2. a word or speech element in the instrumental case

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • instrumentally adverb
  • noninstrumental adjective
  • noninstrumentally adverb
  • uninstrumental adjective
  • uninstrumentally adverb
  • ˌԲٰܳˈٲٲ noun
  • ˌԲٰˈԳٲ adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of instrumental1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word ԲٰūԳ. See instrument, -al 1
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He forged a special connection with our fans, helped develop and improve players, and was instrumental in implementing the culture that has seen Brentford go from strength to strength.

From

Wilson regarded it as one of his best, and with its striking instrumental palette of harpsichord and flutes, it’s easy to agree.

From

It's difficult to parse out what, if any, part of Baldoni's allegations are true, but it would seem that Lively has been instrumental in dragging Swift into her fight.

From

She made several appearances throughout the show, earning thunderous applause whilst dancing to an instrumental performance of her mum's 2006 hit Deja Vu.

From

She was instrumental in the roll-out of an online self-help BED pilot programme provided by the Republic of Ireland's health service.

From

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instrumentinstrumental conditioning