Word
immune
Phoneticsim·mune, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪmˈjun/
UK/ɪmjˈuːn/
Definitions
01resistant to disease
B2 · Upper Intermediate Medicine
adj. protected from a specific disease because your body has already fought it or you had a vaccine.
adj. possessing a specific biological resistance to a pathogen, typically through prior exposure or vaccination.
“Most people are now immune to the virus thanks to the successful vaccination program.”
“The researchers discovered that a small percentage of the population was naturally immune to the strain due to a rare genetic mutation.”
Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'to'.
Pitfall
He is immune from the flu.
He is immune to the flu.
When talking about diseases or physical effects, use the preposition 'to'.
Antonyms
02exempt from rules
C1 · Advanced Law Formal
adj. not affected by a rule, tax, or punishment that other people have to deal with.
adj. exempt from a duty, legal obligation, or the effects of a particular law or authority.
Español:inmune
“Diplomats are often immune from local laws while they are working in a foreign country.”
“The former head of state argued that he was immune from prosecution for actions taken during his time in office.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'from' in legal contexts.
03not affected by something
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. not influenced or hurt by something like criticism or bad weather.
adj. not susceptible to or affected by a particular influence, emotion, or external pressure.
“After years in politics, she became immune to the harsh comments in the newspapers.”
“No company is entirely immune to the fluctuations of the global economy, regardless of its size or previous success.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04a protected person
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a person who cannot catch a certain disease.
n. an individual who is not susceptible to a specific infection or disease.
“The scientists studied the immunes to understand how their bodies resisted the infection.”
“The study focused on the long-term antibody levels of the immunes compared to those who had recently recovered from the illness.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “immune” in context.
Verb
01. become immune to the virus
“After the second dose of the vaccine, most patients become immune to the virus.”
verb + adj + prep + noun
02. render someone immune to criticism
“His immense wealth seemed to render him immune to criticism from the local press.”
verb + noun + adj
Adjective
03. immune from prosecution
“The diplomat was immune from prosecution due to his official status.”
adj + prep + noun
04. largely immune to the effects
“The country's economy remained largely immune to the effects of the global recession.”
adv + adj
Noun
05. immune system
“A healthy diet and regular exercise can help strengthen your immune system.”
adj + noun
06. immune response
“The body triggers a rapid immune response when it detects a foreign bacteria.”
adj + noun
07. immune cells
08. immune systems
09. immune function
10. immune responses
Real-World Examples
“Second, the immune response tends to be highly specific, meaning it may recognize only the exact drug used in the vaccine.” “A second study – involving around 200 people – will give a greater understanding of how well it is training the immune system.” “If outside immune cells could enter the brain in some people, perhaps the process was not rare at all.” “Ed was, after all, already creating the Cells series, looking at mitosis and immune response through a visual vocabulary shaped by Japanese woodblock design.” Etymology
From Middle English, from Middle French immun, from Latin immūnis (“exempt from public service”), from in- (“not”) + mūnus (“service”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/immune
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0