What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
detached
Example
The detached house had a large garden. [detached: adjective]
Example
She felt detached from the conversation and didn't want to participate. [detached: adjective]
Example
The detached garage was located at the back of the property. [detached: adjective]
isolated
Example
The small village was isolated from the rest of the world. [isolated: adjective]
Example
He felt isolated and lonely after moving to a new city. [isolated: adjective]
Example
The isolated incident was not indicative of a larger problem. [isolated: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Detached is more commonly used than isolated in everyday language. Detached is often used to describe a specific type of building, while isolated is more general and can refer to any situation or place that is far away or difficult to reach.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between detached and isolated?
Both detached and isolated can be used in formal and informal contexts, and neither word is particularly more formal than the other.