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

Even once insular South Korea is welcoming more migrant workers to make up for its low birthrate. — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

That rarely happens with Idaho’s insular faith-healing communities. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 1 Oct. 2026

Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother is designed as an action flick as well as a portrait of a family dealing with tragedy and an insider’s look at an insular community that mocks harmful stereotypes without perpetrating them. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026

Though Best Original Song can seem impenetrable, as the Music Branch that determines the shortlist and nominees for the category has its own insular politics, Swift has inched her way closer to a nomination with every song she’s written for a film. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 26 Sep. 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)