Meaning & use
multi-instrumentalist
Last updated
UK/ˌmʌlti ˌɪnstrʊˈmentəlɪst/
US/ˌmʌlti ˌɪnstrəˈmentəlɪst/
Meaning
nouncountablemusic
A musician who can play several different instruments, often to a high level.
Grammar: Countable: a multi-instrumentalist, two multi-instrumentalists.
Patterns
- a multi-instrumentalist who plays something
She is a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, piano and violin.
The band's multi-instrumentalist switches between drums and keys.
He recorded the whole album as a multi-instrumentalist.
Word forms
| plural | multi-instrumentalists |
|---|
Common combinations
- talented multi-instrumentalist
- A talented multi-instrumentalist joined the group.
- gifted multi-instrumentalist
- The gifted multi-instrumentalist played every part.
- singer and multi-instrumentalist
- She is a singer and multi-instrumentalist.
- become a multi-instrumentalist
- He became a multi-instrumentalist after learning five instruments.
Synonyms and how they differ
- all-rounder
- All-rounder is broader, describing someone skilled at many things, not only music.
- versatile musician
- Versatile musician can also mean skill in many styles, while multi-instrumentalist means many instruments.
- session player
- A session player is hired to play on recordings and might use only one instrument.
Word family
- instrument noun
- a tool for making music
- instrumentalist noun
- a person who plays an instrument
- instrumental adjective
- made by instruments, without singing
Commonly confused: multi-instrumentalist or instrumentalist?
multi-instrumentalist vs instrumentalist
An instrumentalist plays any instrument, while a multi-instrumentalist plays several.
Practice
Who is a multi-instrumentalist?
Choose one answer.
The prefix multi means many, so the word means a musician playing several instruments.
Make it your own
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