noun
Common
immunity
ih-MYOO-nuh-tee
Immunity (noun) means the body's ability to resist a particular disease. Example: “A vaccine helps the body build immunity without making you ill.”
noun
1
The body's ability to resist a particular disease.
"A vaccine helps the body build immunity without making you ill."
"After the illness, she had natural immunity and did not catch it again."
"Breastfeeding can pass some immunity from mother to baby."
2
An official exemption from a duty, penalty, or prosecution.
"Diplomats usually have immunity from prosecution for minor offences abroad."
"The informer was offered immunity if he told police everything he knew."
"The witness was granted immunity in exchange for testifying."
"The prosecutor offered the lieutenant immunity for all the crimes he would testify having known to be planned by the elusive drug baron."
How to use immunity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishProtection from disease, or a formal exemption from punishment or duty.
Common pairings
grant immunity
diplomatic immunity
build immunity
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like immunity.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- immunities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A vaccine helps the body build _____ without making you ill.
Etymology
From Old French immunite, from Latin immunitas; immune plus -ity.
Synonyms
View more →
resistance
protection
impunity
indemnity
privilege
resilience
unsusceptibility
exemption
free pass
get out of jail free card
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for immunity
See all rhymes for immunity →Frequently asked questions
What does “immunity” mean?
The word “immunity” means the body's ability to resist a particular disease. In plain terms, protection from disease, or a formal exemption from punishment or duty.
How do you pronounce “immunity”?
“Immunity” is pronounced ih-MYOO-nuh-tee (/ɪˈmjuːnəti/ in IPA).
How do you use “immunity” in a sentence?
Here is “immunity” used in a sentence: “Breastfeeding can pass some immunity from mother to baby.”
What is another word for “immunity”?
Words with a similar meaning to “immunity” include exemption, free pass and get out of jail free card.
What is the opposite of “immunity”?
The opposite of “immunity” — its antonyms — is susceptibility.
What part of speech is “immunity”?
“Immunity” is a noun.
Where does the word “immunity” come from?
The word “immunity” comes from Latin. From Old French immunite, from Latin immunitas; immune plus -ity.
Is “immunity” a common word?
“Immunity” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between immunity and immunization?
Immunity is the body's ability to resist a particular disease, while immunization is the process of creating that immunity, usually through vaccination. Immunization is the method, and immunity is the result.
What is the difference between innate and adaptive immunity?
Innate immunity is the body's general, first-line defense that you are born with, while adaptive immunity develops over time as the body learns to recognize specific pathogens. Innate immunity is immediate and broad, whereas adaptive immunity is targeted and builds up through exposure.
What are common collocations with immunity?
Immunity appears in phrases such as 'herd immunity,' 'diplomatic immunity,' 'natural immunity,' and 'grant immunity.' 'Herd immunity' refers to a population's resistance to a disease when a large share of its members are immune.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include immunity:
