Isolate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective noun /ˈī-sə-ˌlāt/ (verb) /ˈī-sə-lət/ (adjective) iso·late

Meaning & Definition of Isolate

Isolate (verb)

  1. to set apart from others; also, quarantine
  2. to select from among others; especially, to separate from another substance so as to obtain pure or in a free state
  3. insulate

Isolate (adjective)

  1. being alone, solitary, isolated

Isolate (noun)

  1. an individual, population, strain, or culture obtained by or resulting from selection or separation
  2. an individual socially withdrawn or removed from society

Isolate (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who lives away from others

    "interpersonal relationships are very stressful for him, so he lives as a virtual isolate"

    similar: anchorite, eremite, hermit, recluse, solitary
    related: homebody, shut-in
    near: socialite, socializer

Isolate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to set or keep apart from others

    "rescuers finally reached outlying villages that had been isolated by the massive earthquake"

    similar: cut off, insulate, seclude, segregate, separate, sequester
    related: quarantine, confine, immure, incarcerate, intern, jail, lock (up), restrain, restrict, abstract, detach, disengage, remove, detain, hold, keep
    opposite: desegregate, integrate, reintegrate
    near: assimilate, associate, connect, join, link, unite, discharge, free, liberate, loose, release

Isolate (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in isolated, remote

    similar: cloistered, disassociated, hermetic, insulated, isolated, remote, retired, secluded, withdrawn, forlorn, friendless, quarantined, segregated, separated, sequestered, unattended, unchaperoned, separate, unattached, unconnected, unlinked, alone, lone, lonely, lonesome, single, solitary, solo, unaccompanied, detached, disconnected, disjointed, dissociated, disunited, divided, fractionated, abandoned, adrift, deserted, desolate, forgotten, forsaken, lorn, neglected
    opposite: accompanied, attended, chaperoned, escorted, adjacent, adjoining, communicating, contiguous, neighboring, next-door, attached, connected, coupled, linked

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Isolate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Isolate:

anchorite, eremite, hermit, recluse, solitary, cut off, insulate, seclude, segregate, separate, sequester, cloistered, disassociated, hermetic, insulated, isolated, remote, retired, secluded, withdrawn, forlorn, friendless, quarantined, segregated, separated, sequestered, unattended, unchaperoned, unattached, unconnected, unlinked, alone, lone, lonely, lonesome, single, solo, unaccompanied, detached, disconnected

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Isolate

Words with the opposite meaning of Isolate:

desegregate, integrate, reintegrate, accompanied, attended, chaperoned, escorted, adjacent, adjoining, communicating, contiguous, neighboring, next-door, attached, connected, coupled, linked

Related Words for Isolate

homebody, shut-in, quarantine, confine, immure, incarcerate, intern, jail, lock (up), restrain, restrict, abstract, detach, disengage, remove, detain, hold, keep

Near Antonyms of Isolate

socialite, socializer, assimilate, associate, connect, join, link, unite, discharge, free, liberate, loose, release

Word Forms of Isolate

Inflections: isolated, isolating

Derived words: isolator (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Isolate

back-formation from isolated set apart, from French isolé, from Italian isolato, from isola island, from Latin insula

First known use: 1799

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Isolate

Words & Phrases Containing Isolate

self-isolate

Frequently Asked Questions about Isolate

What does "Isolate" mean?

"Isolate" means to set apart from others; also, quarantine. As an a verb, an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: to set apart from others; also, quarantine. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Isolate"?

Other words for "Isolate" include anchorite, eremite, hermit, recluse, solitary, cut off, insulate and seclude. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Isolate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Isolate"?

There are 71 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Isolate". Common alternatives include anchorite, eremite, hermit, recluse, solitary, cut off, insulate, seclude, segregate and separate.

What is the opposite of "Isolate"?

Antonyms of "Isolate" include desegregate, integrate, reintegrate, accompanied, attended, chaperoned, escorted and adjacent. Near antonyms include socialite, socializer, assimilate and associate.

How do you use "Isolate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Isolate" in a sentence: "interpersonal relationships are very stressful for him, so he lives as a virtual isolate"; "rescuers finally reached outlying villages that had been isolated by the massive earthquake".

Is "Isolate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Isolate" can be used as a verb, an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Isolate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Isolate" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Isolate"?

"Isolate" is pronounced /ˈī-sə-ˌlāt/ as a verb and /ˈī-sə-lət/ as an adjective and divided into syllables as iso·late.