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

His ornaments had the ease and precision of an instrumentalist — a breezy upper extension, daintily dancing arpeggios. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025

The docu-drama format will chronicle their experience living the life of a touring musician, made even more brutal as each of the 12 singers, songwriters, and instrumentalists will face elimination at each stop. —EW.com, 25 June 2025

Shipp emerged as the quieter percussionist and instrumentalist, while Buzz took the reins as the vocalist. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2025

Producers can skip the studio to work on their devices at home, commissioning instrumentalists and beat makers who live time zones away. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 5 May 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