Isolated Meaning

UK /ˈaɪsəleɪtɪd/
US /ˈaɪsəˌleɪtɪd/
Word Definition
isolated meaning

Isolated Definition & Usage

adjective

Separated from others; alone or remote from the rest of the world or from social interaction.

Examples

  • "The island was so isolated that no one had set foot there in decades."
  • "She felt isolated at her new school, not knowing anyone and struggling to make friends."
  • "The remote research station is isolated from civilization by hundreds of miles of snow and ice."
  • "In the middle of the desert, the traveler found himself in an isolated spot with no way to reach help."
  • "During the long winter, the family was isolated from the rest of the town, with only a narrow road open."
verb

To separate or set apart from others, often with the intent of keeping someone or something alone or distinct.

Examples

  • "The patient was isolated to prevent the spread of the infectious disease."
  • "The team isolated themselves from the rest of the group to focus on the project."
  • "In a lab, scientists often isolate specific bacteria for testing."
  • "The system is isolated from the main network to prevent potential cyber threats."
  • "To study the species, researchers isolated a single individual to observe its behavior."

Cultural Context

Isolation, both physical and emotional, has been a recurring theme in literature, psychology, and social studies. The term 'isolated' often carries a negative connotation when describing individuals or communities cut off from social interaction, leading to feelings of loneliness or alienation. In contrast, physical isolation in nature is sometimes romanticized as a way to connect with oneself or the environment.

The Solitude of High Ridge

Story

The Solitude of High Ridge

Far above the bustling towns, on the windswept peaks of the High Ridge mountains, there stood an isolated cabin. Max had come to this remote place seeking peace, away from the noise and distractions of the world below. His life had been one of constant noise, endless meetings, and the pressure of city life. Now, in this solitary refuge, he could finally hear himself think. Max sat by the small wood-burning stove, the only warmth in the cabin. Outside, the snow continued to fall, the landscape becoming more and more isolated as the hours passed. There were no roads leading up to the cabin, and the nearest neighbor was miles away. He liked it that way. The isolation was exactly what he needed. But as the days passed, the isolation began to feel different. At first, it had been a relief. Now, it was suffocating. The silence, once soothing, felt like a heavy blanket. Max found himself speaking to the trees and the wind, longing for a voice other than his own. The isolation, though welcome at first, had begun to weigh on him. One morning, Max woke to find that a storm had blocked the path he had taken to the village. His phone had no signal, and the only other person who could possibly reach him was a neighbor he hadn't seen in months. He was completely cut off. And this time, he wasn't sure he wanted to be. The isolation, which had once seemed like an escape, now seemed like a trap. He stared out of the window, watching the snow pile up against the door, feeling both a part of the landscape and completely alone in it. He had sought isolation to escape from the world. But now, in the depths of the storm, he realized that the world he had fled from was the very one he longed to return to.

The Solitude of High Ridge