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REFERENCE

isolated

adj.
US //ˈaɪsəˌɫeɪtəd// UK //ˈaɪsəlˌeɪtɪd// iso·lat·ed
  1. 1 physically separate (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    far away from other places, buildings, or people.

    physically detached or remote from others; situated in a location that is difficult to access.

    Example

    The hikers stayed in an isolated cabin deep in the mountains.

    Example

    The village remained isolated for weeks after the heavy snowfall blocked the only mountain pass connecting it to the valley.

    Usage

    Often used to describe geographical locations or social states.
  2. 2 happening once (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    happening only once or very rarely; not part of a pattern.

    occurring as a single instance or an exceptional case rather than as part of a broader trend or pattern.

    Example

    The police said the crime was an isolated incident and the town was safe.

    Example

    While the software crash was frustrating, the developers insisted it was an isolated occurrence caused by a rare hardware conflict.

    Usage

    Commonly collocates with 'incident', 'case', or 'occurrence'.
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  1. 3 medical/scientific (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    separated from a larger group or body for study.

    referring to a biological or chemical substance that has been extracted or a condition occurring without other symptoms.

    Example

    The scientists studied the isolated virus to understand how it spreads.

    Example

    The laboratory analyzed the isolated compound to determine its efficacy against the specific bacterial strain identified in the patient.

    Usage

    Used as a technical adjective in biology, chemistry, and clinical medicine.
Origin

A rendering into English of French isolé.

Word family

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