instrumental.

1. Playing an important practical role in bringing about a result.

2. Performed by instruments rather than sung voices.

3. Relating to the use or measurement of instruments.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• instrumental in success
• instrumental role

On the page

Her testimony was instrumental in reopening the inquiry.

The alliance played an instrumental role in the agreement.

Usage notes

Primary category: academic / formal. Forms: Comparative more instrumental; superlative most instrumental where gradation is meaningful. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings.