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

With the loss of multi-talented instrumentalist Roy Ayers, who died on Wednesday at the age of 84, the hip-hop world is honoring one of its greatest inspirations and sample sources. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2025

Other instrumentalists at the concert will include electric bassist Clifford Hunt, a string teacher in Joliet, and drummer Mike Carlson of Oak Forest. —Jessi Virtusio, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025

He is widely known as a Grammy Award-winning jazz instrumentalist. —Jim Asker, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2025

Another union, the American Federation of Musicians, represents instrumentalists such as session musicians and offers health care options as well. —Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 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