51Թ

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View synonyms for

instrumental

[ in-struh-men-tl ]

adjective

  1. serving or acting as an instrument or means; useful; helpful.

    Synonyms: , ,

  2. performed on or written for a musical instrument or instruments:

    instrumental music.

  3. of or relating to an instrument or tool.
  4. Grammar.
    1. (in certain inflected languages, as Old English and Russian) noting or pertaining to a case having as its distinctive function the indication of means or agency, as Old English beseah blīthe andweitan “looked with a happy countenance.”
    2. noting the affix or other element characteristic of this case, or a word containing such an element.
    3. similar to such a case form in function or meaning, as the Latin instrumental ablative, 徱ō, “by means of a sword.”
    4. (in case grammar) pertaining to the semantic role of a noun phrase that indicates the inanimate, nonvolitional, immediate cause of the action expressed by a verb, as the rock in The rock broke the window or in I broke the window with the rock.


noun

  1. Grammar.
    1. the instrumental case.
    2. a word in the instrumental case.
    3. a construction of similar meaning.
  2. a musical composition played by an instrument or a group of instruments. Compare vocal ( def 8 ).

instrumental

/ ˌɪԲٰəˈɛԳə /

adjective

  1. serving as a means or influence; helpful
  2. of, relating to, or characterized by an instrument or instruments
  3. played by or composed for musical instruments
  4. grammar denoting a case of nouns, etc, in certain inflected languages, indicating the instrument used in performing an action, usually translated into English using the prepositions with or by means of
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a piece of music composed for instruments rather than for voices
  2. grammar
    1. the instrumental case
    2. a word or speech element in the instrumental case
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌԲٰܳˈٲٲ, noun
  • ˌԲٰˈԳٲ, adverb
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ȴٰ·t· adverb
  • ԴDzi·ٰ·t adjective
  • ԴDzi·ٰ·t·ly adverb
  • ܲi·ٰ·t adjective
  • ܲi·ٰ·t·ly adverb
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of instrumental1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word ԲٰūԳ. See instrument, -al 1
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The “Ode” celebrates in exalted song and irresistibly vivid instrumental invention, the wonder of music in all its processes and measures.

From

He was instrumental in us getting this done.

From

The truth is that the federal government has been instrumental in getting public education off the ground since the nation’s founding.

From

The group has been instrumental in pressuring the company to do more, she said.

From

Building his fitness in the gym has allowed him to compete more regularly on the tour - instrumental in his rise up the rankings.

From

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