instrumentalist

noun

in·​stru·​men·​tal·​ist ˌin(t)-strə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ist 

1

: a player on a musical instrument

2

: an exponent of instrumentalism

instrumentalist adjective

Synonyms

• musician
• artist
• performer

Examples of instrumentalist in a Sentence

he excels as a conductor, a composer, and as an instrumentalist

Recent Examples on the Web

Skeptical in the sense that TOOL are four members, and despite Keenan’s eagerness to put out more TOOL music soon, the band’s instrumentalists have to be on the same page as well. —Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

There may have been better singers, dancers, instrumentalists, performers and visual artists — but absolutely no one combined those talents as vividly as Prince did. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025

Drummer Josh Freese was the last instrumentalist revealed, his presence initially depicted via video on sheer canvas covering the front and sides of the main stage. —Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025

Singer-songwriter and instrumentalist Bobby Whitlock, best known as the keyboardist for Eric Clapton's blues-rock band Derek and the Dominos, has died. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing instrumentalist

• multi-instrumentalist

Rhymes for instrumentalist

• fundamentalist
• orientalist
• transcendentalist
• environmentalist
• experimentalist
• gentlest

Kids Definition

instrumentalist

noun

in·​stru·​men·​tal·​ist ˌin(t)-strə-ˈment-ᵊl-əst 

: a person who plays a musical instrument