# insulate

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈɪnsjʊleɪt/ · frequency rank #35,784

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

## 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.

## Easily confused with
- **insult** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/insulate-vs-insult)
- **isolate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/insulate-vs-isolate)
- **insults** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/insulate-vs-insults)
- **insulted** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/insulate-vs-insulted)
- **insulated** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/insulate-vs-insulated)
- **insulator** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/insulate-vs-insulator)
- **insular** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/insular-vs-insulate)
- **inflate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inflate-vs-insulate)

## Common misspellings (11)
`innsulate`, `insluate`, `inssulate`, `insualte`, `insulaet`, `insulatte`, `insullate`, `insultae`, `inuslate`, `isnulate`, `nisulate`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/insulate