insularity

American  

[in-suh--lar-i-tee, ins-yuh-] / ˌɪn sə ˈlær ɪ ti, ˈɪns yə- /

noun

1. the state or condition of being an island.

   Great Britain, because of its insularity, was only reachable by sea until 1785, when the first balloon successfully crossed the English Channel by air.

2. the state or condition of dwelling on or being situated on an island.

   None of the other aspects of the fossil show adaptations common among island dwellers, so insularity is not a good argument to explain its form.

3. the state or condition of being detached or isolated.

   Growing populations have in many places made the insularity of religious communities difficult to preserve.

4. the state or condition of being narrow-minded or provincial.

   Our neighbors' insularity was both psychological and cultural: they had no interest whatsoever in literature, history, art, government, science, film, or the outdoors.

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Etymology

Origin of insularity

insular ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Example Sentences

Despite their insularity, Thompson’s works offer a reportorial curiosity of the world and a generosity toward working people.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

"Such wanton destruction of the German cultural scene, such self-inflicted insularity, must not be allowed to happen," it said.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

Canada, alas, does not enjoy the same insularity from the U.S. economy.

From Slate • Aug. 1, 2025

"He captures Dylan's craning stance and the way he used hair and sunglasses as a mask, the insistent buzz and keen of his speaking and singing voice and the odd, touchy, insularity."

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2024

Archaeology, comparative philology and textual criticism have also contributed their share; and the comparative study of religions has further tended to broaden the outlook and to make for universality, as opposed to insularity, of view.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various