instrumentalist

[in-struh-men-tl-ist]

noun

1. a person who plays a musical instrument.

2. an advocate of instrumentalism.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or advocating instrumentalism.

instrumentalist

/ ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntəlɪst /

noun

1. a person who plays a musical instrument

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

adjective

1. of or relating to instrumentalism

Word History and Origins

Origin of instrumentalist¹

First recorded in 1815–25; instrumental + -ist

Example Sentences

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.

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The French composer and instrumentalist scored hundreds of films—including the bittersweet movie musical “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.”

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The drummer and lyricist for beloved Canadian hard-rock trio Rush was widely considered one of rock’s most skilled instrumentalists.

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The sheer amount of people created a showstopping spectacle, with each group of instrumentalists on different raised levels.

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Tillman, by the way, is fantastic here – moving and undulating along with the instrumentalists, lacing the music's joy with the character's menace.

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Related Words

• artist 
• composer 
• conductor 
• entertainer 
• performer www.thesaurus.com
• player 
• soloist 
• virtuoso 
• vocalist