insular

adjective

in·​su·​lar ˈin(t)-su̇-lər 

-syu̇-,

ˈin-shə-lər

1

: characteristic of an isolated people

especially : being, having, or reflecting a narrow provincial viewpoint

2

a

: of, relating to, or constituting an island

b

: dwelling or situated on an island

insular residents

3

: of or relating to an island of cells or tissue

insularism

ˈin(t)-su̇-lə-ˌri-zəm 

-syu̇-

ˈin-shə-lə-

noun

insularity

ˌin(t)-su̇-ˈler-ə-tē 

-ˈla-rə- -syu̇-

ˌin-shə-ˈler-ə-

-ˈla-rə-

noun

insularly

ˈin(t)-su̇-lər-lē 

-syu̇-

ˈin-shə-

adverb

Synonyms

• illiberal
• Lilliputian
• little
• narrow
• narrow-minded
• parochial
• petty
• picayune
• provincial
• sectarian
• small
• small-minded

Examples of insular in a Sentence

the insular world of boarding schools

an insular community that is not receptive of new ideas, especially from outsiders

Recent Examples on the Web

The 2022 high school graduate has been described as an insular loner who was subject to relentless bullying. —Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 16 July 2024

One of the few things that could pierce the insular Biden team and persuade Mr. Biden to reconsider his run is the argument that his legacy could include tarnishing the Democratic Party and its electoral prospects, one of the sources indicated. —Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 11 July 2024

At the time, nearly 28 years ago, Skilling was unknown outside the small, insular world of utility insiders and Enron corporate headquarters in Houston. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2024

The fun in 1984 of a fish-out-of-water Black cop getting endless amusement from uptight bougie white folks in a city that reeks of insular wealth and entitlement just seems old hat now. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin insularis, from Latin insula island

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Kids Definition

insular

adjective

in·​su·​lar ˈin(t)s-(y)ə-lər 

ˈin-shə-lər

1

: of, relating to, or forming an island

2

: being isolated or detached

an insular building

3

: not open to new or different ideas : narrow

an insular viewpoint

insularity

ˌin(t)s-(y)ə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

ˌin-shə-ˈlar-

noun

Medical Definition

insular

adjective

in·​su·​lar -lər 

: of or relating to an island of cells or tissue (as the islets of Langerhans or the insula)