English · Word Candidate

instrumental

/ɪnstɹəˈmɛntəl/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: instrumentals

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Essential or central; of great importance or relevance.

Adjective

Examples

He was instrumental in conducting the business.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Serving as an instrument, medium, means, or agency.

Adjective

Examples

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.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

The instrumental case.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

A composition written or performed without lyrics or singing, using a lead instrument to replace vocals.

Noun

Examples

I recommend this album in the face of the fact that five of the eleven songs are the purest filler, dull instrumentals with a harmonica rifling over an indifferent rhythm section. The rest is magnificent […]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “instrumental” mean?

Essential or central; of great importance or relevance.

Is “instrumental” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.