Isolation: meaning, definitions and examples

When a person or thing is completely separated from others, often involuntarily or due to external circumstances. It can have a negative connotation, especially when it results in feelings of sadness or exclusion.

• The patient was kept in isolation to prevent the spread of infection.
• Her isolation from friends and family made her feel very lonely.

The state of being alone, but typically by choice and often with a positive or neutral connotation. It implies peace, reflection, or a personal retreat rather than loneliness or exclusion.

• He enjoyed the solitude of his morning walks.
• After a hectic week, she found comfort in the solitude of her garden.

When someone is purposefully kept away from others, often in a positive or neutral way. It can be self-imposed or imposed by others, usually to create a state of privacy or peace.

• She went to a cabin in the woods for a weekend of seclusion.
• The celebrity valued his seclusion from the public eye.

When someone feels sad and empty because they are alone or lack meaningful companionship. It is always negative and pertains to the emotional state of being alone.

• After moving to a new city, he struggled with deep loneliness.
• The pandemic increased feelings of loneliness for many people.

This word is used when someone or something is completely separated from others, often in a sense of being alone or quarantined. It often has a negative connotation, indicating loneliness or exclusion.

• The patient was kept in isolation to prevent the spread of the infection
• After the betrayal, he felt profound isolation from his friends

This word describes the process or state of moving or being apart. It can refer to physical distancing (like rooms or objects) or emotional and legal contexts (like relationships).

• The separation of waste materials is important for recycling processes
• They announced their separation after ten years of marriage

This word is used to describe a state where someone is emotionally disconnected or unattached. It can also mean physical separation but often denotes an objective or dispassionate state in psychological contexts.

• She maintained a sense of detachment from the situation, which allowed her to make clear decisions
• His detachment from the outcome made it easier to handle the pressure

This term can refer to physical space between objects or places, but it also can indicate emotional spacing or social separation. The context can determine if it's positive or negative.

• They kept a safe distance from the wild animal
• Over time, emotional distance grew between them, and they drifted apart

Use 'isolation' when referring to a state of being separated from others, often to prevent the spread of disease or for the safety of individuals. It is neutral and can be used in medical, psychological, and social contexts.

• The patient was kept in isolation to prevent infection.
• She lived in isolation for many years, far from any human contact.

Quarantine is best used when someone is separated to prevent the spread of contagious disease. It typically has a temporary connotation and a formal or enforced context.

• They were placed under quarantine after exposure to the virus.
• During the outbreak, households practiced quarantine measures to stay safe.

Seclusion refers to being kept away from social interaction, usually for rest, privacy, or protection. It has a more voluntary or purposeful nuance.

• She retreated to the seclusion of her cabin in the woods to relax.
• After the scandal, he sought seclusion to avoid media attention.

Segregation is used when groups are separated based on specific characteristics like race, gender, or religion. It has a strong negative connotation due to its historical and social implications of inequality and discrimination.

• The segregation laws were abolished to ensure equal rights for all citizens.
• Racial segregation in schools was a major issue in the past.