isolate
EYE-suh-layt
Isolate (verb) means to separate someone or something from others. Example: “The hospital isolated the patient to stop the infection spreading.”
verb
1
To separate someone or something from others.
"The hospital isolated the patient to stop the infection spreading."
"She felt isolated after moving to a new city where she knew no one."
"Teachers isolate noisy pupils from the group when they disturb the lesson."
2
To separate a single substance or organism from a mixture, in science.
"Researchers managed to isolate the gene responsible for the disorder."
"The scientist used a special filter to isolate a single type of bacteria from the sample."
"Chemists can isolate pure salt from seawater by letting the water evaporate."
How to use isolate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo set something or someone apart, cutting off contact with everything else.
Common pairings
isolate a patient
isolate a virus
feel isolated
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Word forms
- Plural
- isolates
- Third person singular
- isolates
- Past tense
- isolated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The hospital _____ the patient to stop the infection spreading.
Etymology
Formed from "isolated," which came through French isolé and Italian isolato, ultimately from Latin insula, "island" — the same root as "insulate."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for isolate
See all rhymes for isolate →Frequently asked questions
What does “isolate” mean?
The word “isolate” means to separate someone or something from others. In plain terms, to set something or someone apart, cutting off contact with everything else.
How do you pronounce “isolate”?
“Isolate” is pronounced EYE-suh-layt (/ˈaɪ.sə.leɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “isolate” in a sentence?
Here is “isolate” used in a sentence: “The hospital isolated the patient to stop the infection spreading.”
What part of speech is “isolate”?
“Isolate” is a verb.
Where does the word “isolate” come from?
The word “isolate” comes from Latin. Formed from "isolated," which came through French isolé and Italian isolato, ultimately from Latin insula, "island" — the same root as "insulate.".
Is “isolate” a common word?
“Isolate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “isolate” have?
“Isolate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to separate someone or something from others.
What is the difference between isolate and quarantine?
To isolate means broadly to separate someone or something from others, while quarantine specifically refers to isolating people or animals to prevent the spread of disease. Isolate is the more general term and applies well beyond health contexts.
What is the difference between isolating and insulating something?
Isolate means to separate something from others entirely, cutting off contact or connection. Insulate means to protect something from an external effect (like cold or noise) without necessarily removing all contact, so the two overlap but are not identical.
What does it mean to isolate a substance in a scientific context?
In science, to isolate a substance or organism means to separate it out from a mixture so it can be studied or used on its own. This sense is common in chemistry, biology, and medicine, such as isolating a compound or a strain of bacteria.
Is isolate always used as a verb?
In everyday dictionary use, isolate functions as a verb meaning to separate something from others. It describes an action taken on a person, object, or substance rather than describing a state.
