instrumental

American  

[in-struh-men-tl] / ˌɪn strəˈmɛn tl /

adjective

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

   Synonyms:

   effective, effectual, implemental

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.

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noun

• instrumentals
  plural

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 British  

/ 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

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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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• instrumentality
  noun
• noninstrumental
  adjective
• uninstrumental
  adjective
• instrumentally
  adverb
• noninstrumentally
  adverb
• uninstrumentally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• instrumentals
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of instrumental

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

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Explanation

Instrumental music involves just instruments — no singing. But you could also say that the conductor is instrumental to — or a critical part of — an orchestra's success. If you enjoy the ballet, part of it may be the instrumental music that accompanies the graceful movements. An instrumental song is one without a singer, and there can be instrumental passages of any song, where the band just plays and the singer is quiet. But this word also means something like useful. You could say that Martin Luther King, Jr. was an instrumental part of the civil rights movement because he was such an important part of it.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

instrumental instrumentals

Nevertheless, both years remained the warmest since instrumental temperature records began.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 30, 2026

At Newcastle, meanwhile, Howe was instrumental in the signings of Bruno Guimarares, Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak - all of whom were sold for more than they joined for.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

Its original owner, George Freeman Pollock, was instrumental in the establishment of Shenandoah National Park in 1926.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

She was instrumental in expanding Netflix’s reach internationally and the streamer’s push into live events.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026

I know this because I can smell their microwave popcorn, andI can hear the tire-screeching noises and instrumental sound effects and gunfire.

From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day

The vocals throughout have that patented, tingling Jayhawks sound; the instrumentals are as sharp as fans will recall.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

There’s also three original instrumentals and a song out of Price’s early archives, “Can’t Stand Still.”

From Salon ● Jul. 14, 2026

Infusing mostly rich, ethereal instrumentals with the music of her Spanish roots and Brazilian vibes, Casado, born in Spain, creates an intoxicating space to dwell and think.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2025

The album also features a pair of atmospheric instrumentals, “Space 1” and “Space 2,” co-written by the jammers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2025

Hence, then, in the and why we have instrumental ablatives, or, simply, instrumentals.

From A Handbook of the English Language by R. G. (Robert Gordon) Latham

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Related Words

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