isolation
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for isolation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The state of being separated or apart from others.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use isolation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
First recorded around 1800, from French isolation, from isolé ("placed on an island") — built from isolate plus -ion.
Full origin of isolation →Frequently asked questions
What does “isolation” mean?
The word “isolation” means the state of being separated or apart from others. In plain terms, being cut off or kept apart, whether physically, socially, or in a lab experiment.
How do you pronounce “isolation”?
“Isolation” is pronounced eye-suh-LAY-shuhn (/ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “isolation” in a sentence?
Here is “isolation” used in a sentence: “He spent the winter in near-total isolation at the remote cabin.”
What part of speech is “isolation”?
“Isolation” is a noun.
Where does the word “isolation” come from?
The word “isolation” dates back to around 1800 and comes from French. First recorded around 1800, from French isolation, from isolé ("placed on an island") — built from isolate plus -ion.
Is “isolation” a common word?
“Isolation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “isolation” have?
“Isolation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of being separated or apart from others.
What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?
In public health, isolation separates people who are ill or infected from those who are healthy, while quarantine restricts people who may have been exposed but are not yet known to be ill. In everyday speech, isolation is the broader word for being kept apart from others.
What is the difference between isolation and solitude?
Solitude is the state of being alone, often chosen and experienced as peaceful, while isolation suggests separation that is imposed, prolonged, or unwelcome. Writers reach for solitude to describe restorative alone time and isolation to describe cut-off, lonely circumstances.
What is the difference between isolation and loneliness?
Isolation is the objective state of being separated from others, while loneliness is the unhappy feeling of lacking connection. The two often occur together, but a person can be isolated without feeling lonely and can feel lonely in a crowd.