instrumentalist

American  

[in-struh-men-tl-ist] / ˌɪn strəˈmɛn tl ɪst /

noun

1. a person who plays a musical instrument.

2. an advocate of instrumentalism.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or advocating instrumentalism.

instrumentalist British  

/ ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntəlɪst /

noun

1. a person who plays a musical instrument

2. philosophy a person who believes in the doctrines of instrumentalism

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adjective

1. of or relating to instrumentalism

Etymology

Origin of instrumentalist

First recorded in 1815–25; instrumental + -ist

Example Sentences

But to see instrumentalists like Lakecia Benjamin who has really come to the forefront as an alto saxophonist and to see her get Grammy nominations, that’s something that, for me, is huge.

From Los Angeles Times

Spoken-word post-punk works best when the band surrounding the vocalist has an acute feel for melody—without a singer dispensing catchy musical phrases, the instrumentalists have to pick up the slack.

From The Wall Street Journal

"People felt that ACE was pursuing access to culture in an instrumentalist way and had lowered the priority given to the pursuit of artistic excellence. Art and excellence were sidelined," Dame Margaret wrote.

From BBC

He regularly tours the world, and he frequently performs with a wide range of instrumentalists and singers worlds apart.

From Los Angeles Times

All of the 15 performers are highly skilled in their own artistic disciplines, but the boundaries are blurred—instrumentalists sing, singers play violins and percussion, and everyone commits vigorously to movement.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• artist
• composer
• conductor
• entertainer
• performer
• player
• soloist
• virtuoso
• vocalist