Word
immunity
Phoneticsim·mu·ni·ty, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪmˈjunəti/
UK/ɪmjˈuːnɪti/
Definitions
01medical resistance
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Medicine
n. the ability of your body to protect itself from a specific disease or infection.
n. the physiological state of being resistant to a specific pathogen or toxin, typically through the presence of antibodies or white blood cells.
“The vaccine helps your body build immunity against the flu.”
“Natural immunity acquired after an initial infection often provides more robust long-term protection than certain first-generation synthetic vaccines.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'to' or 'against'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02legal protection
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Formal
n. special protection that means you cannot be punished or sued by the law.
n. an exemption from a legal obligation, penalty, or the jurisdiction of a court.
“The witness was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony.”
“Diplomatic immunity prevents foreign representatives from being prosecuted under the host country's laws, though this privilege can be waived by their home state.”
Usage
Commonly appears in the phrase 'sovereign immunity' or 'diplomatic immunity'.
Antonyms
03general resistance
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Literary
n. the state of not being affected by something, like criticism or a bad habit.
n. the quality of being unaffected or influenced by something external, such as social pressure or criticism.
“After years in politics, he had developed an immunity to public criticism.”
“The CEO seemed to possess a strange immunity to the anxieties that plagued his subordinates during the merger.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Trump’s lawyers argued that, since the hush-money case presented evidence from his first term as president, it falls under that immunity.” “If it spreads to neighbouring places with lower immunity, it will be a disaster,” Nasidi added.” Etymology
From Middle English immunite, from Old French immunité, from Latin immūnitās, in the legal sense; for the medical use see immunization. Equivalent to immune + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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