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
• player

Examples of instrumentalist in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

In the 19th century, by contrast, the best way to widely disseminate a piece of music was to write it down; many music lovers in the emerging middle class had at least basic proficiency as singers or instrumentalists. —Matthew Aucoin, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025

Those instrumentalists include some of the most respected musicians in the region. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025

Those instrumentalists include some of the most respected musicians in the region. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025

Produced entirely in Lagos, Nigeria, the work features music and an original score by Made Kuti, Fela Kuti’s grandson who has also forged a career as an Afrobeat singer, songwriter and instrumentalist. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 26 Mar. 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