insular

adjective

in·​su·​lar ˈin(t)-su̇-lər How to pronounce insular (audio)
-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 How to pronounce insular (audio)
-syu̇-
ˈin-shə-lə-
noun
insularity
ˌin(t)-su̇-ˈler-ə-tē How to pronounce insular (audio)
-ˈla-rə- -syu̇-
ˌin-shə-ˈler-ə-
-ˈla-rə-
noun
insularly
ˈin(t)-su̇-lər-lē How to pronounce insular (audio)
-syu̇-
ˈin-shə-
adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Belichick, always an insular coach, further withdrew during that season amid his team’s struggles, according to team sources with knowledge of the situation. Chad Graff, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025 An even more explicit example of Marin County’s stubborn resistance is occurring in Fairfax, another insular community a few miles from Newsom’s new home. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024 Watch on Deadline One major focus for Ando was to build bridges between Japan’s notoriously insular film industry and leading filmmakers in the rest of the world – hence the TIFF Lounge, which Ando devised with Cannes Palme d’Or-winning director Hirokazu Kore-eda (Shoplifters). Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2024 The group became increasingly insular, and encouraged Lenz to distrust anyone outside of it. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for insular 

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin insularis, from Latin insula island

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of insular was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near insular

Cite this Entry

“Insular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insular. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

insular

adjective
in·​su·​lar ˈin(t)s-(y)ə-lər How to pronounce insular (audio)
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 noun

Medical Definition

insular

adjective
in·​su·​lar -lər How to pronounce insular (audio)
: of or relating to an island of cells or tissue (as the islets of Langerhans or the insula)

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