adj
Common
immune
ih-MYOON
Immune (adj) means Protected against a disease, usually through vaccination or prior infection. Example: “Once you have had chickenpox, you are usually immune for life.”
adj
1
Protected against a disease, usually through vaccination or prior infection.
"Once you have had chickenpox, you are usually immune for life."
"The nurse explained that the injection would make the children immune to measles."
"After the vaccine, she was immune to the virus."
2
Not affected by or exempt from something.
"The old oak seemed immune to the storms that battered the coast."
"No business is truly immune to a recession."
"Diplomats are immune from local prosecution in many cases."
How to use immune
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishProtected against something, whether it's an illness or a consequence.
Common pairings
immune to criticism
immune system
immune from prosecution
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Word forms
- Plural
- immunes
- Third person singular
- immunes
- Past tense
- immuned
- Comparative
- more immune
- Superlative
- most immune
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Once you have had chickenpox, you are usually _____ for life.
Etymology
From Middle French immun, from Latin immunis, "exempt from public service" (in- + munus, "service, duty").
Synonyms
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invulnerable
unaffected
insusceptible
inoculated
shielded
safe
-proof
exempt
impenetrable
impermeable
impervious
protected
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for immune
See all rhymes for immune →Frequently asked questions
What does “immune” mean?
The word “immune” means protected against a disease, usually through vaccination or prior infection. In plain terms, protected against something, whether it's an illness or a consequence.
How do you pronounce “immune”?
“Immune” is pronounced ih-MYOON (/ɪˈmjuːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “immune” in a sentence?
Here is “immune” used in a sentence: “After the vaccine, she was immune to the virus.”
What is another word for “immune”?
Words with a similar meaning to “immune” include -proof, exempt, impenetrable, impermeable, impervious and protected.
What is the opposite of “immune”?
The opposite of “immune” — its antonyms — are susceptible, vulnerable, affectable and nonimmune.
What part of speech is “immune”?
“Immune” is an adjective.
Where does the word “immune” come from?
The word “immune” comes from Latin. From Middle French immun, from Latin immunis, "exempt from public service" (in- + munus, "service, duty").
Is “immune” a common word?
“Immune” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between immune and vaccinated?
Being vaccinated is one way to become immune, but the two are not identical. Immune means the body is protected against a disease, and that protection can come from vaccination or from a previous infection.
What is the difference between immune and resistant?
Immune generally implies full protection, so a disease does not take hold at all. Resistant implies reduced susceptibility rather than complete protection, meaning something is harder to affect but not necessarily untouchable.
What preposition follows immune?
The usual preposition is 'to,' as in immune to a disease or immune to criticism. 'Immune from' is used mainly for exemption, as in immune from prosecution.
Can immune be used figuratively?
Yes. In its second sense, immune means not affected by or exempt from something, as in 'immune to flattery' or 'immune from taxation.' This figurative use extends the medical idea of protection to other things.
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