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noun Uncommon

antibody

AN-tee-bod-ee

Antibody (noun) means a protein made by the immune system that recognizes and attaches to a specific germ or foreign substance to help destroy it. Example: “After the infection cleared, her blood still carried antibodies against the virus.”

noun
1
A protein made by the immune system that recognizes and attaches to a specific germ or foreign substance to help destroy it.
"After the infection cleared, her blood still carried antibodies against the virus."
"Vaccines work by training the body to produce the right antibodies in advance."

How to use antibody

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA defence protein your immune system makes to fight off a specific germ.

Common pairings
produce antibodies antibody test antibodies against a virus

Word forms

antibodies plural

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Etymology

From anti- ("against") plus body, a direct translation of the German word Antikörper.

Origin: German

Rhymes for antibody

See all rhymes for antibody →

Frequently asked questions

What does “antibody” mean?

The word “antibody” means a protein made by the immune system that recognizes and attaches to a specific germ or foreign substance to help destroy it. In plain terms, a defence protein your immune system makes to fight off a specific germ.

How do you pronounce “antibody”?

“Antibody” is pronounced AN-tee-bod-ee (/ˈæn.tɪˌbɑ.di/ in IPA).

How do you use “antibody” in a sentence?

Here is “antibody” used in a sentence: “After the infection cleared, her blood still carried antibodies against the virus.”

What part of speech is “antibody”?

“Antibody” is a noun.

Where does the word “antibody” come from?

The word “antibody” comes from German. From anti- ("against") plus body, a direct translation of the German word Antikörper.

Is “antibody” a common word?

“Antibody” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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