insulate
Insulate (verb) means to cover or surround something with material to stop heat, cold, sound, or electricity from passing through. Example: “They insulated the attic to cut down on heating bills.”
How to use insulate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo wrap something to block a transfer (heat, sound, electricity), or to shield someone from a bad influence.
Don't confuse with "isolate" — insulate is about blocking transfer of energy or effects, isolate is about physical or social separation. They share the same Latin root.
Word forms
insulated past tense, insulates singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They _____ the attic to cut down on heating bills.
Etymology
From Latin insula, "island," plus the -ate suffix — the idea of turning something into its own isolated "island."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for insulate
See all rhymes for insulate →Frequently asked questions
What does “insulate” mean?
The word “insulate” means to cover or surround something with material to stop heat, cold, sound, or electricity from passing through. In plain terms, to wrap something to block a transfer (heat, sound, electricity), or to shield someone from a bad influence.
How do you pronounce “insulate”?
“Insulate” is pronounced IHNS-yuu-layt (/ˈɪnsʊleɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “insulate” in a sentence?
Here is “insulate” used in a sentence: “They insulated the attic to cut down on heating bills.”
What is another word for “insulate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “insulate” include isolate.
What part of speech is “insulate”?
“Insulate” is a verb.
Where does the word “insulate” come from?
The word “insulate” comes from Latin. From Latin insula, "island," plus the -ate suffix — the idea of turning something into its own isolated "island.".
How many meanings does “insulate” have?
“Insulate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cover or surround something with material to stop heat, cold, sound, or electricity from passing through.