instrumental

[in-struh-men-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.

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

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

It was instrumental in growing new branches of business for Netflix, including live events, a Broadway production and inspired brands eager to partner on licensed merchandise.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Credit to my husband Andrew who has been instrumental in establishing the charity," Mrs Mitchell said.

Read more on BBC

He was instrumental in the Rams assembling their best defensive performance of the year, giving up 70 yards passing and 193 total.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The band was instrumental in popularizing the rock en español genre, and their music is often heard across the Southland, from house parties to sporting events.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Silicon and software teams are instrumental in determining features.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• involved