Insular: meaning, definitions and examples

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insular

 

[หˆษชnสƒสŠlษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

isolated

relating to or characteristic of an island; detached from the mainland

Synonyms

detached, isolated, remote.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
insular

Used when describing someone or something that is inward-looking, narrow-minded, or not interested in different cultures or ideas.

  • His insular attitude made it difficult for him to make friends from other backgrounds.
  • The community was insular, resistant to change and outside influence.
isolated

Refers to being physically or socially separated from others, often in a way that can lead to loneliness or a sense of being cut off.

  • After moving to the remote village, she felt isolated from her friends and family.
  • The pandemic has left many people feeling isolated and alone.
remote

Used to describe a place that is far away from other places, or something that seems unlikely or distant.

  • They decided to visit a remote island for their vacation, far from the busy city life.
  • There is only a remote chance of rain today, so you don't need an umbrella.
detached

Describes a person who is emotionally uninvolved or indifferent, or something that is physically separated from something else.

  • She remained detached during the heated discussion, not showing any emotions.
  • The house had a detached garage that was separate from the main building.

Examples of usage

  • The insular town was only accessible by boat.
  • The insular community had its own unique traditions and customs.
Context #2 | Adjective

narrow-minded

ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experience

Synonyms

close-minded, narrow-minded, parochial.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
insular

Used to describe someone or something that is isolated, typically as a result of a lack of interest in cultures, ideas, or people from outside one's own area or group.

  • Living in such a small village, she had a rather insular perspective on the world
narrow-minded

Indicates a person who is not willing to accept or understand different opinions, beliefs, or behaviors, usually implying a limited and biased viewpoint.

  • Her narrow-minded attitude made it difficult for her to appreciate the diverse opinions in the discussion
parochial

Refers to a limited or narrow outlook, often highlighting a focus on local or small-scale issues at the expense of broader perspectives, similar to 'insular' but can also imply a bias towards one's own area or group.

  • His parochial views prevented him from seeing the benefits of global cooperation
close-minded

Describes someone who is unwilling to consider new ideas or different opinions, often leading to a lack of openness and inflexibility.

  • He is so close-minded that he refuses to listen to anyone else's suggestions

Examples of usage

  • His insular views prevented him from appreciating diversity.
  • The insular attitude of the group hindered collaboration.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'insula,' which means 'island.' Over time, its meaning expanded to describe things that are isolated or detached.
  • In English, the term has been used since the 19th century to describe both physical isolation and social attitudes.

Geography

  • Many small island nations face insular challenges, including limited resources and reliance on imports for daily needs.
  • Insular areas may have unique ecosystems, such as Hawaii, which is home to many species found nowhere else on Earth.

Psychology

  • Being insular can relate to how people cope with changeโ€”some prefer familiar environments and resist new experiences.
  • Social psychology suggests that insular groups may develop strong in-group bonds, sometimes leading to prejudice against outsiders.

Literature

  • Writers often explore the theme of insularity to highlight isolation in characters, showing how it affects their relationships and worldviews.
  • Famous novels, such as 'The Island of Dr. Moreau,' use insularity to question moral boundaries and societal norms.

Sociology

  • Cultural insularity can lead to the preservation of unique traditions and languages, often found in remote communities.
  • Insular societies may struggle with globalization, as outside influences can threaten their cultural identity.

Translations

Translations of the word "insular" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น insular

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฆเฅเคตเฅ€เคชเฅ€เคฏ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช insular

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ insuler

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะพัั‚ั€ั–ะฒะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ wyspowy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅณถใฎ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท insulaire

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ insular

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ada ile ilgili

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์„ฌ์˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฌุฒูŠุฑูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ostrovnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ ostrovnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฒ›ๅฑฟ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ otoลกki

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ eyja-

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐั€ะฐะปะดั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒฃแƒœแƒซแƒฃแƒšแƒ˜แƒก

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ada ilษ™ baฤŸlฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ insular

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,072, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.