INSTRUMENTAL
implemental, instrumental, subservient
(adjective) serving or acting as a means or aid; “instrumental in solving the crime”
instrumental
(adjective) relating to or designed for or performed on musical instruments; “instrumental compositions”; “an instrumental ensemble”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
instrumental (comparative more instrumental, superlative most instrumental)
essential or central; of great importance or relevance.
(music) Pertaining to, made by, or prepared for, an instrument, especially a musical instrument (rather than the human voice).
(grammar) Applied to a case expressing means or agency, generally indicated in English by by or with with the objective.
Antonyms
• noninstrumental
Coordinate terms
• (serving as a means): final
• (music): vocal, a capella
Noun
instrumental (plural instrumentals)
(grammar) The instrumental case.
(music) A composition written or performed without lyrics, sometimes using a lead instrument to replace vocals.
Source: Wiktionary
In`stru*men"tal, a. Etym: [Cf. F. instrumental.]
1. Acting as an instrument; serving as a means; contributing to promote; conductive; helpful; serviceable; as, he was instrumental in conducting the business. The head is not more native to the heart, The hand more instrumental to the mouth. Shak.
2. (Mus.)
Definition: Pertaining to, made by, or prepared for, an instrument, esp. a musical instrument; as, instrumental music, distinguished from vocal music. "He defended the use of instrumental music in public worship." Macaulay. Sweet voices mix'd with instrumental sounds. Dryden.
3. (Gram.)
Definition: Applied to a case expressing means or agency; as, the instrumental case. This is found in Sanskrit as a separate case, but in Greek it was merged into the dative, and in Latin into the ablative. In Old English it was a separate case, but has disappeared, leaving only a few anomalous forms. Instrumental errors, those errors in instrumental measurements, etc., which arise, exclusively from want of mathematical accuracy in an instrument.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
13 March 2025
ACCURATE
(adjective) conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy; “an accurate reproduction”; “the accounting was accurate”; “accurate measurements”; “an accurate scale”
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