immune
Americanadjective
-
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.
-
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.
-
exempt or protected.
He thought being rich made him immune from punishment, but he went to jail for his crimes.
-
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
adjective
-
protected against a specific disease by inoculation or as the result of innate or acquired resistance
-
relating to or conferring immunity See antibody
an immune body
-
unsusceptible (to) or secure (against)
immune to inflation
-
exempt from obligation, penalty, etc
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of immune
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin immūnis “exempt,” from im- im- 2 + -mūnis ( see common)
Explanation
To be immune to something is to be resistant to it. If you had chickenpox as a child, you should be immune to it now. The adjective immune comes from the Latin word immunis, which means “exempt from public service.” If you're protected — or exempt — from disease, injury, work, insults, or accusations, then you're immune. Vaccinations serve to make people immune to certain diseases. Being a diplomat makes people immune to certain legal persecution. To be immune to bullying means that you don’t let the bad behavior of your peers get you down.
Vocabulary lists containing immune
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
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!
All American Boys
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!
Life Science: Human Systems
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.
The vaccine does not cause an infection or Ebola symptoms, but trains the immune system to give protection.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
She nailed the role of Carol, a curmudgeon who’s immune to an alien virus that’s made everyone else on Earth annoyingly happy.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
While overall spending on pets remains resilient, Chewy isn’t immune to macro challenges.
From Barron's • May 19, 2026
Is this because China believes its national firewall and comprehensive surveillance renders it immune?
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
However, if the bacilli become active—when someone’s immune system is compromised, as with AIDS—they multiply rapidly into a bone-eating, lung-consuming illness that, unless treated, is fatal.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
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.
