Meaning
- Insulate (verb): to cover, surround, or protect something to prevent the passage of heat, electricity, or sound; also, to protect someone or something from unpleasant influences or experiences.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: Verb
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Transitive (needs an object).
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Common patterns:
- insulate something from/against something
- be insulated from/against something
Variations
- Insulated (adj.): describes something that has been protected or covered to prevent heat, electricity, or sound from escaping or entering.
- Insulation (n.): the material or process used to insulate.
Common Phrases
- insulate against the cold
- insulate from outside noise
- socially insulated
- financially insulated
Collocations
- thermal insulation
- electrical insulation
- sound insulation
- insulate a building
- insulate wires
- insulate oneself from reality
Examples
- The walls of the house are insulated to keep the heat inside during winter.
- Rubber is used to insulate electrical wires.
- The thick curtains help insulate the room against street noise.
- Wealth can sometimes insulate people from everyday problems.
- The government tried to insulate the economy from global shocks.
- Parents cannot completely insulate their children from disappointment.
- He insulated the pipes to prevent them from freezing.
- The cabin is well insulated, so it stays warm even in heavy snow.
Synonyms or Related
- Protect
- Shield
- Isolate
- Cover
- Safeguard
Antonym
- Expose
- Uncover
- Endanger