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

insularity

2 of 2

noun

in·​su·​lar·​i·​ty

-ətē, 

-i also -ˈler-

plural -es

1

: the quality or state of being an island or consisting of islands

the insularity of Great Britain

2

a

: condition of dwelling on an island or in isolation

b

: narrowness or illiberality of opinion or custom

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

Kauai, a rural island of 70,000 people, is tremendously insular and interconnected. — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026

There are parallels to the Epstein saga; tensions between an insular, blue-collar police force and federal agents with elite educations; systemic corruption; office politics. — Judy Berman, Time, 27 July 2026

Cheapening a Storied Brand Furthermore, the Klarna partnership cheapens Apple’s premium brand identity, which was in part achieved by its extremely insular ecosystem. — Bee Wertheimer, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026

The leader of his country’s Socialist Party, Rama came to power in 2013, as Albania was still sloughing off its insular identity. — Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 23 July 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)