instrumental

in-stru-men-tal · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Serving as a means of accomplishing something; essential or crucial to achieving a result.

  2. 2.

    Relating to or performed on musical instruments, especially without vocal accompaniment.

  3. 3.

    Relating to or denoting the case of nouns and pronouns expressing means or agency (in some languages).

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    be instrumental in — to play a key role in achieving something
  • •
    instrumental music — music performed without vocals

Related words

Antonyms: insignificant, unimportant
See also: crucial, essential, instrument
Synonyms: crucial, essential, pivotal

Etymology

From Medieval Latin instrumentalis, from Latin instrumentum ("tool, equipment"). The word has been used in English since the 14th century.