How to pronounce instrumental
Say it like in-struh-MEN-tul. Instrumental has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce instrumental. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- struh
- MEN
- tul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Instrumental pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- struhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- MENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of instrumental
American and British speakers say instrumental in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntəl/ in the US and /ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-struh-MEN-tul.
What does instrumental mean?
- relating to or designed for or performed on musical instruments“instrumental compositions”“an instrumental ensemble”
- serving or acting as a means or aid“instrumental in solving the crime”
Where does instrumental come from?
From Middle English instrumental, instrumentale, from Medieval Latin īnstrūmentālis, equivalent to instrument + -al.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with instrumental
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of instrumental.
Questions about saying instrumental
How do you pronounce instrumental?
Say in-struh-MEN-tul. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntəl/. In British English it is /ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in instrumental?
Instrumental has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MEN). Broken into parts: in · struh · MEN · tul.
Do Americans and Brits say instrumental the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntəl/ and the British form is /ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.