First Known Use: 1611
Dictionary
insular
adjective in·su·lar \ˈin(t)-su̇-lər, -syu̇-, ˈin-shə-lər\
: separated from other people or cultures : not knowing or interested in new or different ideas
Full Definition of INSULAR
1
a : of, relating to, or constituting an island b : dwelling or situated on an island <insular residents>
2
: characteristic of an isolated people; especially : being, having, or reflecting a narrow provincial viewpoint
3
: of or relating to an island of cells or tissue
— in·su·lar·ism \-lə-ˌri-zəm\ noun
— in·su·lar·i·ty \ˌin(t)-su̇-ˈla-rə-tē, -syu̇-, ˌin-shə-ˈla-\ noun
— in·su·lar·ly \ˈin(t)-su̇-lər-lē, -syu̇-, ˈin-shə-\ adverb
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Examples of INSULAR
- the insular world of boarding schools
- <an insular community that is not receptive of new ideas, especially from outsiders>
Origin of INSULAR
Late Latin insularis, from Latin insula island
Related to INSULAR
- Synonyms
- illiberal, narrow, Lilliputian, little, narrow-minded, parochial, petty, picayune, provincial, sectarian, small, small-minded
- Antonyms
- broad-minded, catholic, cosmopolitan, liberal, open, open-minded, receptive, tolerant
Other Geology Terms
insular
adjective in·su·lar \-lər\ (Medical Dictionary)
Medical Definition of INSULAR
: of or relating to an island of cells or tissue (as the islets of Langerhans or the insula)
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