insular

1 of 2

adjective

in·​su·​lar ˈin(t)-su̇-lər 

-syu̇-, 

ˈin-shə-lər

1

: separated from other people or cultures

especially : not knowing or interested in new or different ideas

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

insularism

2 of 2

noun

in·​su·​lar·​ism -ləˌrizəm 

plural -s

: the quality or state of being insular and especially of exhibiting narrowness and rigidity of outlook or mind

Synonyms of insular

Adjective

• parochial
• small
• petty
• narrow

Examples of insular in a Sentence

Adjective

the insular world of boarding schools

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Music scenes were insular; tapes were copied by hand and passed between friends and family. — Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026

In the region, three out of four people report what researchers call an insular mindset. — Juan Carlos Santiago, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

The yearslong feud offers a rare window into the insular world of top-tier science labs, where directors wield outsized authority. — Chris Serres — Boston Globe, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026

Amid geopolitical uncertainty and the AI boom, executive leadership has had to become a much less insular affair. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Late Latin insularis, from Latin insula island

First Known Use

Adjective

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)