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

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.

Read more on Salon

Yet musicians made magic, instrumentalists and singers finding enchantment in meeting every environmental challenge they faced, filling what might otherwise be empty beauty with wondrous substance.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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