Instrumental

/ɪnstɹəˈmɛntəl/ · adjective

Meaning

Essential or central; of great importance or relevance..

Definitions by Sense

1. Essential or central; of great importance or relevance.
2. Serving as an instrument, medium, means, or agency.
3. (music) Pertaining to, made by, or prepared for an instrument, especially a musical instrument (rather than the human voice).
4. (grammar) Applied to a case expressing means or agency, generally corresponding to the English use of prepositions such as by, with, through, or by means of with the objective case.
5. (grammar) The instrumental case.
6. (music) A composition written or performed without lyrics or singing, using a lead instrument to replace vocals.
7. (music) A pause in the vocals of a song, usually occurring midway through, in which a musical instrument replaces the vocals.

Example Sentences

He was instrumental in conducting the business.

The head is not more native to the heart, The hand more instrumental to the mouth

Few songwriters have been as instrumental in creating the mold for American music.

[...] Prosser was instrumental in the decision in 2010 to recommence publication of an annual health and safety report, following a period when it had fallen into abeyance.

Maxwell started back to his study, feeling that kind of satisfaction which a man feels when he has been even partly instrumental in finding an unemployed person a remunerative position.

instrumental music

an instrumental part

Sweet voices mix'd with instrumental sounds.

Synonyms for instrumental

Antonyms for instrumental

Related Words

Word Forms

• more instrumental
• most instrumental
• instrumentals

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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