Instrumental

Practice This Word

Serving as a means to an end; acting as a crucial tool or agent in bringing about a desired result.

adjective

Instrumental

Serving as a means to an end; acting as a crucial tool or agent in bringing about a desired result.

adjective

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Imagine This

Imagine you are the essential tool that finally fits the puzzle; without you the plan stalls, but with you the project comes together.

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Sounds Like

in-struh-MEN-tuhl

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Looks Like

instrument + al

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Remember This

Instrumental is often used with in to describe influence (instrumental in bringing about a result). It also appears as a musical term meaning relating to instruments.

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Other Forms

instrumentalizeverb

instrumentalitynoun

instrumentalismnoun

instrumentalistnoun

instrumentallyadverb

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Connect With

enable, facilitate, play a key role, means to an end

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Note

Avoid confusing with instrumentalist (a person who plays an instrument) or with instrument (the physical tool) by itself.

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Study Deeper

Examples

Her research was instrumental in shaping the final policy.
The director's clever use of lighting was instrumental in creating the film's suspense.

Synonyms

essentialcrucialvitalpivotalkey

Antonyms

unimportantinessentialinsignificant

Etymology

From Medieval Latin instrumentalis, from instrumentum (tool, implement) + -alis. The sense 'serving as a means' derives from the idea of an instrument that accomplishes a task.

Mnemonic

Think of instrument + al: you are the instrument that makes plans come alive; when someone is instrumental, they are the tool that gets things done.

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Perfunctory

adjective

Done in a careless or superficial way; mechanical and lacking enthusiasm.

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adjective

Soft and limp; lacking firmness or tone; can describe muscles, tissues, or other things that are not firm; can also describe a lack of vigor or vitality in a metaphorical sense.