instrumental
Serving a purpose
Instrumental describes something that serves as a means to an end—a tool or agent in achieving a result: She was instrumental in getting the legislation passed.
In music, instrumental refers to compositions performed without vocals: an instrumental track, instrumental jazz.
As a noun, an instrumental is such a piece.
In grammar, the instrumental case marks nouns used as instruments of action.
Support given freely
- assistanceSupport or aid given
- facilitativeTending to enable
- enablingMaking something feasible
- contributoryHelping cause something
conducive · helpful · beneficial · pivotal · essential · vital · crucial · key
Ordered configuration or agreement
- accompanimentSupplementary support element
- backingAid or sponsorship
- interludePause between sections
- medleyVaried mixture or blend
orchestration · transcription · score · harmony · counterpoint · melody · voicing · texture
Extended composition for orchestra
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
- sonataMulti-movement instrumental composition
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- philharmonicLarge orchestra organization
strings · woodwinds · brass · percussion · conductor · violin · cello · viola
Functional worth or purpose
- efficacyAbility to produce results
- effectivenessSuccess in producing results
- usefulnessPractical value or purpose
- practicalityQuality of being useful
means · mechanism · agency · facilitation · enablement · contribution · role · purpose
Facts supporting truth
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- precedentPrior authoritative example
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
- affidavitSworn written statement
deposition · exhibit · discovery · probative · admissible · forensic · chain of custody · witness
aid
Support given freely
- assistanceSupport or aid given
- facilitativeTending to enable
- enablingMaking something feasible
contributory · conducive · helpful · beneficial · pivotal · essential · vital · crucial · key · central
arrangement
Ordered configuration or agreement
- accompanimentSupplementary support element
- backingAid or sponsorship
- interludePause between sections
medley · orchestration · transcription · score · harmony · counterpoint · melody · voicing · texture · progression
symphony
Extended composition for orchestra
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
- sonataMulti-movement instrumental composition
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
philharmonic · strings · woodwinds · brass · percussion · conductor · violin · cello · viola · flute
utility
Functional worth or purpose
- efficacyAbility to produce results
- effectivenessSuccess in producing results
- usefulnessPractical value or purpose
practicality · means · mechanism · agency · facilitation · enablement · contribution · role · purpose · function
evidence
Facts supporting truth
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- precedentPrior authoritative example
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
affidavit · deposition · exhibit · discovery · probative · admissible · forensic · chain of custody · witness · corroboration
- specialty musicworld music, new age, ambient, electronica, folk
- ambient musicBrian Eno, new age, spa music, deep listening, atmospheres
- musicmusic, song, songs, singing, singer
- music expressionsmusic to my ears, in tune, out of tune, play it by ear, strike a chord
- casescarrying case, protective case, hard case, soft case, storage case
- versionsversion, edition, variant, variation, revision
instrumentaluseless
Without practical value
unhelpful · obstructive · detrimental · counterproductive · hindering
instrumentalintrinsic
Belonging by nature
inherent · terminal · final · self-justifying · end in itself
- musical instrumentTool for making music
- optical instrumentLight-manipulating viewing device
- wind instrumentMusic maker requiring breath
- string instrumentsMusic makers with tensioned filaments
- brass instrumentsMetal tubes played by buzzing lips
- blunt instrumentWeapon lacking an edge
instrument, instruments, instrumentalist, instrumentality, instrumentation, instrumentals, instrumentally, instrumentalism