insular

adjective

in·​su·​lar ˈin(t)-su̇-lər 

-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 

-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

• illiberal
• Lilliputian
• little
• narrow
• narrow-minded
• parochial
• petty
• picayune
• provincial
• sectarian
• small
• small-minded

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

The insular island is best known for staging an annual pageant that depicts the cannibalistic murder of four English soldiers — and believe it or not, the locals who stage this play aren’t thrilled to see four English guests in their town. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024

An island is insular by nature, and your goal is to create an inclusive environment that allows every member to flourish. —Sam Adeyemi, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024

What is more, Cairo’s insular approach to governance has created blind spots for Egypt’s leaders. —Michael Wahid Hanna, Foreign Affairs, 26 Nov. 2024

Could such a thing happen in our fractured, culturally insular day and age? —Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin insularis, from Latin insula island

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

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)