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.
But Parton — the songwriter, the vocalist, the instrumentalist, the collaborator — only ever wanted to invite a listener in, wherever they arrive from.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026
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
Along with being an instrumentalist and a producer, Niño, 47, has been a beatmaker, a D.J. on both terrestrial and online radio, a record collector and a venue programmer.
From New York Times ● May 13, 2024
The winning vocalist and instrumentalist would be invited to appear as soloists with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra during its popular summer season at the stadium.
From "The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights" by Russell Freedman
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
