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

The production includes local New Orleans singers and instrumentalists. —Matt Bloom, NPR, 3 Feb. 2025

Rivera’s violin wound up being a defining feature on Desire, perhaps to a greater extent than any other instrumentalist on a Dylan album. —Al Shipley, SPIN, 25 Dec. 2024

Thomas shined as both a vocalist and an instrumentalist, pairing his terrific vocal performance with a groovy guitar solo. —Kyle Denis, Billboard, 7 Feb. 2025

Fuller is an award-winning instrumentalist whose many accolades include having earned the title of best alto saxophonist in the 2018 JazzTimes Jazz Critics Poll. —Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 16 Jan. 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