immunity

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The body's ability to resist a particular infection or disease.

   Grammar: No plural in this sense; often used with 'to': immunity to measles.

   Patterns

   • immunity to something
   • natural immunity
   • acquired immunity

   Vaccination gives you immunity to several diseases.

   She has natural immunity to chickenpox.

   The study tested immunity in older adults.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountablelegal

   A formal exemption from a rule, punishment, or legal duty.

   Grammar: Can be countable (an immunity) or uncountable (grant immunity); often followed by 'from': immunity from prosecution.

   Patterns

   • immunity from something
   • grant someone immunity
   • diplomatic immunity

   The witness was given immunity from prosecution.

   Diplomats enjoy immunity from local laws.

   The new law offers immunity to small businesses.

Word forms

Common combinations

immunity to a disease

Some people have a natural immunity to the virus.

grant immunity

The court agreed to grant him immunity.

diplomatic immunity

The ambassador claimed diplomatic immunity.

herd immunity

Herd immunity can protect those who cannot be vaccinated.

Synonyms and how they differ

resistance

Broader; can mean any ability to fight off something, while 'immunity' is more specific to disease or legal protection.

exemption

Used mainly for rules or taxes, not for diseases; 'immunity' is the legal term for protection from prosecution.

Opposites

Word family

immune adjective

Protected against a disease or not affected by something.

immunize verb

To make someone immune, usually by vaccination.

immunization noun

The process of making someone immune.

Commonly confused: immunity or impunity?

Practice

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