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. See antibody
   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

To get the US to herd immunity — when enough of the US population is immune so the virus no longer poses a major threat — by the end of the summer, America likely needs to hit an average of 2 million or 3 million doses a day.

From Vox

Someone who has had the vaccine and is immune to the virus may still test negative for certain antibodies, Murphy explained.

From Washington Post

At the time, this was really about Prodigy and AOL, but no one really cared, because no one really thought very much about what the impact would be of making Prodigy immune from tort lawsuits.

From ProPublica

Republicans are the most likely to say that they don’t plan to be vaccinated against the virus, a key step toward achieving saturation of immune individuals and therefore protecting the country broadly.

From Washington Post

Members of a household, neighbors, or people living in long-term care facilities may be able to share the company of others who are also immune.

From Vox

With enough changing of the influenza RNA over time, the vaccine no longer provokes the “right” immune response.

From The Daily Beast

So too with a vaccine that provokes a specific immune response aimed at a specific RNA sequence.

From The Daily Beast

As a Washington attorney, he took on companies that seemed immune to change, even when they were ineffective.

From The Daily Beast

Their captors wore palm leaves, leopard skins, and magical relics to make themselves immune to bullets.

From The Daily Beast

Also due to their unusual immune system, bats can remain healthy and able to travel even while infected.

From The Daily Beast

He believes, he has an instinct, that here is the heel of the German Colossus, otherwise immune to our arrows.

From Project Gutenberg

School-children at times have what appears to be mere sore throat but which is really diphtheria in the naturally immune.

From Project Gutenberg

She luxuriated in her little perilous letting-go—could toy with, and yet be immune from, a danger.

From Project Gutenberg

If so, then Lieutenant Jervis is immune to the virus and is not a transmitter or carrier of it.

From Project Gutenberg

Even today the Emperor was not immune from the charms of feminine beauty.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• exempt
• resistant
• unaffected