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

Rich with nuance, passion and unforgettable characters, ‘Unaccustomed Earth’ invites you into the elite and insular Indian-American community of Cambridge, MA. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025

Rich with nuance, passion, and unforgettable characters, Unaccustomed Earth invites you into the elite and insular Indian-American community of Cambridge, MA. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2025

The scope of the devastation brought attention to the rural and rustic regions of Appalachia, but also brought into focus longstanding preconceptions about the area’s poverty and insular culture. —Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

The museum was more insular; shows hardly nodded to the world outside its walls — even to debates in contemporary art. —Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin insularis, from Latin insula island

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for insular

• peninsular

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)