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Meaning & use

immune

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ɪˈmjuːn/
US/ɪˈmjun/

Meanings

  1. adjectiveafter a verbmedical

    Protected from a disease because your body can fight it off, either naturally or through vaccination or past infection.

    Grammar: Usually follows be or become and takes to: immune to measles.

    Patterns

    • immune to something
    • become immune

    Most adults are immune to chickenpox after having it as children.

    The vaccine makes you immune for several years.

    Some bacteria have become immune to common antibiotics.

  2. adjectiveafter a verbfigurative

    Not affected or influenced by something, especially something unpleasant or tempting.

    Grammar: Takes to: she is immune to flattery.

    Patterns

    • immune to something

    He seems immune to criticism.

    No company is entirely immune to market changes.

    The older children were immune to the salesman's charm.

  3. adjectiveafter a verblegal

    Legally protected from being punished, taxed or prosecuted.

    Grammar: Often used with from: immune from prosecution.

    Patterns

    • immune from something

    Diplomats are immune from arrest in most cases.

    The witness was granted immunity and was immune from prosecution.

Common combinations

immune to
The virus is not immune to heat.
immune system
A good diet supports your immune system.
immune from prosecution
The official was immune from prosecution.
completely immune
No one is completely immune to stress.

Synonyms and how they differ

resistant
Resistant suggests partial protection or the ability to withstand, while immune implies full protection.
exempt
Exempt means officially excused from a rule or duty, not protected from a danger.
unaffected
Unaffected is general and does not suggest protection by the body or the law.

Opposites

susceptiblevulnerable

Word family

immunity noun
protection from disease or legal action
immunize verb
to make someone immune, usually by a vaccine
immunization noun
the process of making someone immune
immunology noun
the study of the immune system

Commonly confused: immune or resistant?

immune vs resistant

Resistant means able to withstand something to some degree; immune means fully protected.

Practice

After the vaccine, the children were immune ___ the virus.

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