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

Carter and outside linebackers coach Joe Coniglio, has been instrumental in bringing them along.

From Los Angeles Times

He also chose Thomas Homan, who led the Immigration Customs Enforcement agency during the first Trump term, to manage border policy for the White House, and Stephen Miller, who was instrumental to Trump's first term crackdown, to be the White House deputy chief of staff and oversee deportations, according to The New York Times.

From Salon

Last year, the combative Gaetz came under fire from his own side of the aisle when he proved instrumental in ousting Republican Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker.

From BBC

That so many people’s voices were heard and recognized makes the new memorial “all the more powerful,” said Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein, who Lafleur emphasizes was instrumental in initially getting the clashing parties talking.

From Los Angeles Times

He also wrote a memoir, “You Should Be Dancing,” in 2015 and performed in the instrumental duo Strong & Bryon.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• involved