insular

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

Synonyms of insular

• parochial
• small
• petty
• narrow

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

Recent major outbreaks in Texas, South Carolina and Pennsylvania reveal the threat of measles in undervaccinated, insular communities. — Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2026

To recover her daughter, Gulzhan must reckon with both the insular community and the darker currents of a heritage that refuses to yield. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

The scale of private capital available to entrepreneurs has made the tech industry a particularly insular space. — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Set against the remote, insular world of its titular island, production designer Steve Arnold and set decorator Jennifer Engel created a lived-in, slightly stuck in time and, when necessary, deeply unsettling environment. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

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)