instrumentalist
Americannoun
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a person who plays a musical instrument
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philosophy a person who believes in the doctrines of instrumentalism
adjective
Etymology
Origin of instrumentalist
First recorded in 1815–25; instrumental + -ist
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sometimes Robinson’s truth seeker is the man anchoring the beat, and sometimes he’s the instrumentalist testing the edges of what the audience can withstand.
From Salon • Oct. 13, 2025
The French composer and instrumentalist scored hundreds of films—including the bittersweet movie musical “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 3, 2025
"We have so many words that derive from the British English," Souza, a jazz singer-songwriter and instrumentalist, tells the BBC.
From BBC • Dec. 27, 2024
The brain operates like an orchestra, where each instrumentalist has a special role crucial for creating a coherent piece of music.
From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 2024
Classical Indian musical aesthetics require only three major components in an ensemble: a drone, a solo instrumentalist or vocalist, and a drum.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
