Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

insulate

/ˈɪnsʊleɪt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.83 in modern English

Syllables
in-su-late
IPA
/ˈɪnsʊleɪt/
8
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To separate, detach, or isolate.

verb

To separate a body or material from others, e.g. by non-conductors to prevent the transfer of electricity, heat, etc.

adj

Of pollen or spores, with superficial ornamentation grouped in circular or polygonal areas separated by grooves.

Example Sentences

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.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈɪnsʊleɪt/
  • British English: /ˈɪnsjʊleɪt/

Inflected Forms

insulates (present, singular) insulating (participle, present) insulated (participle, past) insulated (past)

Derived Forms

insulation insulationism insulationist insulative insulator insulite reinsulate superinsulate underinsulate uninsulate

Phrases

insulating tape

Frequently Paired Words

insulable insular insulation isolation peninsula

Synonyms

isolate

Questions

How do you pronounce insulate?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɪnsʊleɪt/.
What does insulate mean?
To separate, detach, or isolate.
Where does insulate come from?
First known use: First attested in the 16th century.

How to pronounce insulate

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “insulate”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɪnsʊleɪt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “insulate”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “insulate” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.