# immune

/ˌɪmˈjun/ (US) · /ɪmjˈuːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/immune
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. resistant to disease

adjective · CEFR B2

protected from a specific disease because your body has already fought it or you had a vaccine.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. exempt from rules

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

not affected by a rule, tax, or punishment that other people have to deal with.

For teachers: exempt from a duty, legal obligation, or the effects of a particular law or authority.

- 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.

### 3. not affected by something

adjective · CEFR B2

not influenced or hurt by something like criticism or bad weather.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. a protected person

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a person who cannot catch a certain disease.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Most people are immune to the virus after they get the vaccine.
- The doctor explained that once you have had the chickenpox, you are usually immune for the rest of your life.
- The diplomat was immune from local prosecution under international law, a status that caused significant tension during the high-profile investigation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.