C2adjectiveformalpsychologysociety
US/ˈɪn.sə.lər/
UK/ˈɪn.sjə.lə/
interested only in your own small group or country and not open to new ideas or people
In context
The small village was insular and suspicious of outsiders.
Some expat groups become insular and never learn the local language.
Critics say the company's culture is too insular to welcome new ideas.
Words that go with insular
adjective + noun
- insular communityNewcomers often struggle to fit into an insular community.
- insular cultureAn insular culture can make it hard for a team to accept criticism.
- insular attitudeHis insular attitude toward foreign food surprised his friends.
adverb + adjective
- increasingly insularThe country became increasingly insular after the crisis.
- rather insularThe academic world can feel rather insular to outsiders.