Word
insulate
Phoneticsin·su·late, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪnsəˌɫeɪt/
UK/ˈɪnsjʊlˌeɪt/
Definitions
01to protect against heat, sound, or electricity
B2 · Upper Intermediate Technology
v. to cover something with a special material so that heat, sound, or electricity cannot escape or enter.
v. to apply a non-conducting material to a surface or object to prevent the transfer of heat, sound, or electricity.
“We need to insulate the attic to keep the house warm during the winter.”
“The contractor recommended that we insulate the pipes with foam sleeves to prevent them from freezing during the unusually harsh winter months.”
02to protect from unpleasant influences
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to protect someone or something from harmful or unpleasant experiences or news.
v. to isolate or protect a person or group from outside influences, especially those that are unpleasant or challenging.
“The wealthy family tried to insulate their children from the realities of the poor neighbourhood.”
“The central bank's primary objective was to insulate the domestic economy from the volatile fluctuations of the international currency markets.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Silicone is used to insulate against heat in applications such as oven mitts.” “Ottawa bought the food system time; it did not insulate it from diesel.” Etymology
From Latin īnsula (“isle, island”) + -ate (verb-forming suffix) or from Late Latin īnsulātus (“made an island”), see etymology at -ate. First attested in the 16th century; the general verb īnsulō (“insulate”) is attested only in New Latin and postdates the English term, but influence from an otherwise unattested Medieval Latin counterpart cannot be ruled out. Piecewise doublet of isolate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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