instrumental

Word family

Related topics: Music

in·stru·men·tal1 /ˌɪnstrəˈmentl◂/ adjectiveadj

1 be instrumental in (doing) something formalIMPORTANT to be important in making something happen 对(做)某事起重要作用

He was instrumental in developing links with European organizations.

他在建立与欧洲各组织之间的联系中起了重要作用。

Examples from the Corpus

be instrumental in (doing) something• Siegel was instrumental in creating the Las Vegas as it is today.• Last December they were instrumental in getting rid of Mr Gaidar and replacing him with one of those industrialists.• By virtue of their ubiquity, popular prints were instrumental in helping to shape the perceptions of the vast majority.• In objectification, the artefact appears to be instrumental in linking these major processes of abstraction and specificity.• Yaki, who was instrumental in negotiating the leases as an aide to Rep.• You will also be instrumental in preparing reports on the effects of immediate and short term changes in electricity supply and demand.• The symbolism of the room was instrumental in setting the tone.• Page was instrumental in the creation of the new Mainan ambitious public works project funded through a public-private partnership.• These developments are instrumental in the increased regulation and stability of affective thought.

2. APMinstrumental music is for instruments, not for voices 器乐的；用乐器演奏的

—instrumentally adverbadv

Examples from the Corpus

instrumental• The presentation was divided into three sections, the first being instrumental.• Strangely the instrumental chapters are spread throughout the book in no logical order.• There are a few other forms of experimental instrumental conditioning, such as discrete trials and shaping.• He had made Mark's life a misery, been instrumental in his death.• Yaki, who was instrumental in negotiating the leases as an aide to Rep.• He has been instrumental in the complete change in my appearance - a good hairdresser is a very valuable asset!• Vocal and instrumental timbres: symbiosis Curiously, the timbre of an instrument always resembles vocal timbre.