autoimmune
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of autoimmune
Explanation
When a condition or illness is described as autoimmune, it means the body's immune system is attacking the body's own cells or tissues. Lupus is one example of an autoimmune disease. Your immune system sends out antibodies to attack bacteria and viruses that shouldn't be in your body. When this system mistakenly attacks substances that are meant to be in your body, it can cause all kinds of problems — this is an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune is a medical term that's been around since the 1950s, from auto-, "self," and immune, "exempt from a disease."
Vocabulary lists containing autoimmune
To Thine Own Self Be True: Auto
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: auto-
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: auto
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I think of it almost like an autoimmune condition. It’s not a classical autoimmune condition, but the body’s definitely attacking itself.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
Its initial focus will be on B-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus—a chronic condition where the immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs.
From Barron's ● Jun. 26, 2026
Others develop autoimmune gastritis, in which the immune system damages stomach cells involved in producing acid and intrinsic factor, the protein needed for vitamin B12 absorption.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 25, 2026
In addition to reducing food noise, her primary goal is to lower inflammation in patients with autoimmune conditions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026
“I don’t know. It just happens to some people. That’s the way autoimmune diseases are.”
From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
