insular

/ˈɪnsjələ(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪnsələr/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈin(t)-su̇-lər -syu̇-, ˈin-shə-lər/ (ame, mw)

insular — 形容詞

  • insularpositive
  • more insularcomparative
  • most insularsuperlative

1. having a limited outlook and being unwilling to accept ideas or customs from out

1.形容詞C1
釋義

心胸狹隘

只關心自身群體，排斥外來事物的

having a limited outlook and being unwilling to accept ideas or customs from outside your own group, culture, or country

例句

Binta grew up in a small insular town where most residents never travelled abroad.

Binta 在一個封閉的小鎮長大，那裡大多數居民從未出國旅行。

insular + town / community

The company's insular culture rejected any new management ideas from outside.

這家公司的封閉文化拒絕外界傳入的任何新管理理念。

insular + culture / company

同義詞
  • narrow-minded

    stronger negative connotation, more common in everyday speech

  • parochial

    focuses on local-only perspective, often in a religious context

  • provincial

    suggests narrowness from rural or regional isolation, slightly dated

反義詞

文法句型

insular + noun

be + insular

用法筆記

Frequently used in a critical way about groups, organizations, or societies that reject outside ideas.

常見錯誤

❌The tribe was insular to outsiders.
✅The tribe had an insular attitude toward outsiders.
💡'insular' is an adjective, not a transitive verb; it typically modifies a noun or follows 'be' + adjective.

2. having little contact with other people and living a life that is separate from

2.形容詞C1
釋義

與世隔絕

與他人缺乏接觸、生活孤立的

having little contact with other people and living a life that is separate from others

例句

The monks led an insular existence in the mountain monastery.

僧侶們在山中的修道院裡過著與世隔絕的生活。

insular + existence / life

After retiring, Fumi's grandfather became increasingly insular, rarely leaving his house.

退休後，Fumi 的祖父變得越來越孤僻，很少出門。

become + increasingly insular

同義詞
  • isolated

    more neutral, less negative — focuses on physical separation

  • secluded

    implies chosen privacy rather than imposed separation

  • reclusive

    stronger, usually about a person who actively avoids others

反義詞

文法句型

become + insular

live an insular + noun

insular + noun (existence / life)

3. relating to an island or islands, or living on an island

3.形容詞C1
釋義

島嶼的

與島嶼有關或位於島上的

relating to an island or islands, or living on an island

例句

The Canary Islands have a distinct insular culture shaped by their island geography.

加那利群島擁有獨特的島嶼文化，深受其島嶼地理的影響。

insular + culture (literal island sense)

Insular ecosystems often develop unique species found nowhere else on Earth.

島嶼生態系統往往會演化出地球上其他地方找不到的獨特物種。

insular + ecosystem / species

同義詞
  • island

    simpler, everyday alternative (e.g. 'island culture')

  • maritime

    broader — relates to the sea, not specifically islands

反義詞
  • continental

    relating to a mainland or continent

  • mainland

    as in 'mainland climate' vs 'insular climate'

文法句型

insular + noun

用法筆記

This is the literal geographical sense. It is less common in everyday speech than the figurative senses (1 and 2).