immune

[ ih-myoon ]

adjective

1. protected from a disease or the like, as by inoculation or by having the necessary antibodies due to a previous infection (often followed by to ):

   Most adults in the study were immune to yellow fever due to previous vaccination.

   Since I had already had measles, I assumed I was immune.

2. of or relating to the production of antibodies or lymphocytes that can react with a specific antigen:

   Crohn's disease is an abnormal immune reaction that causes the immune system to attack cells in the lining of the digestive tract.

3. exempt or protected:

   He thought being rich made him immune from punishment, but he went to jail for his crimes.

4. not responsive or susceptible:

   Over time writers are supposed to grow immune to criticism and let bad reviews roll off our backs.

   You're certainly highly resistant to argument, and also immune to new ideas.

noun

1. a person who is immune.

immune

/ ɪˈmjuːn /

adjective

1. protected against a specific disease by inoculation or as the result of innate or acquired resistance
2. relating to or conferring immunity See antibody

   an immune body

3. usually postpositivefoll byto unsusceptible (to) or secure (against)

   immune to inflation

4. exempt from obligation, penalty, etc

noun

1. an immune person or animal

Other Words From

• hy·per·im·mune adjective
• non·im·mune adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of immune¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin immūnis “exempt,” from im- im- ² + -mūnis ( common )

Word History and Origins

Origin of immune¹

C15: from Latin immūnis exempt from a public service, from im- (not) + mūnus duty

Example Sentences

It confounds an idea that the nation’s biggest cities, with their prosperity, opportunity, diversity, social tolerance, public services, and community institutions, are immune to the alienation and pessimism that Trump galvanized in “left-behind” rural areas eight years ago.

From Slate

Nicola has an auto immune disease - Neuromyelitis Optica - she lost her sight in one eye 15 years ago and the other five years ago.

From BBC

There is a scientific hypothesis called the “original antigenic sin” that suggests that a person’s first exposure to a particular virus “may sort of kind of set the tone” for that person’s immune system going forward — so this worker’s first flu exposure may have provided his immune system with the defenses needed to suppress H5N1.

From Los Angeles Times

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma develops in B-lymphocytes, which are part of the body’s immune system and account for the majority of non-Hodgkin lymphomas, according to the American Cancer Society.

From Los Angeles Times

But even kids’ media is not immune to Hollywood’s recent struggles.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• exempt
• resistant
• unaffected