🇬🇧 Instrumental meaning: English Vocabulary Flash Card

Instrumental means someone or something is very important in making something happen. If a person, action, or thing is instrumental, it’s one of the main reasons the result actually happens. It doesn’t do everything by itself, but without it, the plan probably wouldn’t work or the event might not happen at all.

My alarm clock was instrumental in waking me up, and also instrumental in teaching me how far I can throw things when I’m tired.

The promise of dessert was instrumental in turning my homework tears into homework speed-running.

The giant spider in the bathtub was instrumental in teaching me how fast I can actually run.

Dad’s terrible singing was instrumental in clearing the living room so he could vacuum in peace.

Music is often described as “instrumental” in brain development, which means listening to songs can be very important for your brain.

Rain hit the small boat. Her steady oar was instrumental in steering; that instrumental push kept the bow from spinning. Her low shout was instrumental, guiding the sleeping fisherman to the lantern. The lamp’s instrumental light and one instrumental hand pulled them to shore. They touched the damp wood, wept, and hugged, thankful and safe.

This word is at the C2 level, which means it represents the highest mastery of English. It’s often used in specialized or highly formal contexts and helps you communicate with precision and subtlety, much like a native speaker.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.