instrumental

[ in-struh-men-tl ]

adjective

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

   Synonyms: implemental, effective, effectual

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, gladiō, “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. Compare vocal ( def 8 ).

instrumental

/ ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntəl /

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

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

Derived Forms

• ˌinstrumenˈtality, noun
• ˌinstruˈmentally, adverb

Other Words From

• instru·mental·ly adverb
• nonin·stru·mental adjective
• nonin·stru·mental·ly adverb
• unin·stru·mental adjective
• unin·stru·mental·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of instrumental¹

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

Example Sentences

Trump has pledged to increase production of US fossil fuels rather than investing in renewable energy sources such as wind power - a goal Wright will be instrumental in driving.

From BBC

Wisp’s rise is a product of generational tastes and technology; like a lot of Soundcloud rap, “Your Face” was first written atop an online instrumental from indie producer grayskies.

From Los Angeles Times

He had worked with Petticrew and Boyle, childhood friends who grew up near each other in Catholic West Belfast, a decade earlier on an anti-drug film, and was instrumental in casting them.

From Los Angeles Times

He proposed basing it on this quotidian word song cycle in conjunction with the existing instrumental pieces, and weaving the result into an interactive film piece.

From Los Angeles Times

We listened in rapt, reverential awe, cozied by Vienna’s velvet strings, velvet winds and velvet brass woven together in a perfect tapestry of lush sonic textures and instrumental colors.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• involved