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 byto ).

   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. relating to or conferring immunity See antibody

   an immune body

3. unsusceptible (to) or secure (against)

   immune to inflation

4. exempt from obligation, penalty, etc

noun

1. an immune person or animal

Other Word Forms

• hyperimmune adjective
• nonimmune 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

These adjuvants are additives that boost the patient’s immune response.

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These potentially disabling and often poorly understood conditions—including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Type 1 diabetes—occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells and tissues.

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Microglia are immune cells that live in the brain and help maintain its health.

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This is one reason Alphabet, which has concentrated on corporate sales of existing products, has been virtually immune to the selloff.

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In studies involving mice, this approach successfully treated glioblastoma by stimulating the brain's immune system.

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Related Words

• exempt 
• resistant 
• unaffected