immune
If you are immune to something, you are protected from it and it cannot harm you.
Explanation at your level:
Being immune means you are safe. If you are immune to a cold, you will not get sick. It is like having a shield. You get this shield from a doctor or from being sick before.
When you are immune, your body can fight germs easily. Vaccines help us become immune to dangerous diseases. It is a very useful word for staying healthy and safe.
We use immune to talk about protection. You can be immune to a virus, which means you won't catch it. We also use it to describe people who don't care about negative things, like 'He is immune to peer pressure.'
The term immune is versatile. In a medical context, it refers to biological resistance. In a social context, it describes someone who is impervious to external influence or criticism. It is a strong word that implies a level of invulnerability.
Beyond the biological definition, immune is frequently used in political and legal discourse to describe 'immunity' from prosecution. It suggests a state of being beyond the reach of normal rules or consequences. Understanding the nuance between medical resistance and legal exemption is key to mastering this word.
Etymologically, immune reflects a transition from civic duty to physiological defense. In literary contexts, it can describe a character who remains untouched by the corruption or moral decay of their environment. It signifies a profound separation from the 'burdens' of the world, whether those burdens are viral, legal, or emotional in nature.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Immune means protected from something.
- Commonly used with 'to'.
- Can refer to health or social situations.
- Noun form is 'immunity'.
The word immune is a fascinating term that bridges the gap between biology and everyday life. At its core, it refers to a state of protection. When we talk about health, it means your body has learned how to fight off a specific invader, like a virus or bacteria, so you don't get sick.
Beyond the medical world, we use this word to describe people who seem unaffected by things that usually bother others. For example, if a celebrity ignores mean comments on social media, you might say they are immune to criticism. It is a powerful way to describe resilience or total exemption from a rule.
The history of immune takes us back to the Latin word immunis. In Ancient Rome, this word meant 'exempt from public service or taxes.' It was a legal term used to describe citizens who were 'free' from certain burdens or duties.
Over centuries, the word migrated from the courtroom to the laboratory. By the 19th century, scientists began using it to describe the body's 'freedom' from disease. It is a perfect example of how a word can evolve from a dry legal status into a vital biological concept that we use every single day to talk about our health.
You will hear immune used most often with the preposition to. We rarely say someone is 'immune for' something; it is almost always immune to. Whether you are talking about a flu virus or a cynical attitude, the structure remains consistent.
In formal settings, like a legal document, you might see it used in the phrase 'grant immunity.' In casual conversation, it is common to hear it used hyperbolically, such as 'I am immune to his bad jokes,' meaning you have heard them so many times they no longer affect you.
While immune itself is a descriptor, it is often part of larger concepts. 1. Immune system: The body's defense network. 2. Diplomatic immunity: A legal status where diplomats are exempt from local laws. 3. Herd immunity: When enough people are protected that a disease stops spreading. 4. Immune response: The physical reaction your body has to a threat. 5. Build up immunity: The process of training your body to be stronger against germs.
Pronounced as ih-MYOON, the stress falls on the second syllable. It is an adjective, so you will usually find it after a linking verb like 'is' or 'are' (e.g., 'They are immune').
It does not have a plural form because it is an adjective. If you want to talk about the state of being immune, you use the noun immunity. Remember, you are immune to something, but you have immunity against or immunity to a disease.
Fun Fact
It originally had nothing to do with medicine!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'myoon' sound.
Similar to UK, slight emphasis on 'myoon'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it as 'im-moon'
- Misplacing the stress on the first syllable
- Adding an extra 'e' sound at the end
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective usage
He is immune.
Prepositional phrases
Immune to X.
Noun vs Adjective
Immunity vs Immune.
Examples by Level
I am immune to the flu.
I have protection.
Use 'to' after immune.
The vaccine makes you immune.
The medicine protects you.
Verb + adjective.
Are you immune?
Are you safe?
Question form.
He is not immune.
He can get sick.
Negative form.
She is immune now.
She has protection.
Adjective usage.
We are all immune.
Everyone is safe.
Plural subject.
Is it immune?
Is the animal safe?
Subject pronoun.
Stay immune today.
Keep your protection.
Imperative.
The vaccine helps you become immune to the virus.
I feel immune to the cold this year.
Doctors study how to make people immune.
She is lucky to be immune to that allergy.
Not everyone is immune to the disease.
He thinks he is immune to everything.
The medicine keeps the patient immune.
We need to be immune to stay healthy.
She is immune to his constant complaining.
The children were vaccinated to make them immune.
Are you immune to poison ivy?
He acts as if he is immune to the rules.
The goal is to reach herd immunity.
I wish I were immune to stress.
You are not immune to the consequences of your actions.
The treatment made him immune for a short time.
The diplomat was granted immunity from prosecution.
She has become immune to the criticism of her peers.
The company claims it is immune to market fluctuations.
He seems immune to the charms of fame.
We are working to build an immune response.
The system is immune to outside interference.
Even the best players are not immune to failure.
He is immune to the pressures of his job.
The candidate appeared immune to the political scandal.
She developed an immune system that was incredibly resilient.
No one is truly immune to the passage of time.
The software is immune to most cyber attacks.
He remained immune to the emotional pleas of the crowd.
The law provides that he is immune from liability.
They are immune to the lure of easy money.
The structure is immune to seismic activity.
His stoic nature made him immune to the chaos surrounding him.
The ancient fortress was immune to the invaders' siege.
She possesses an immune constitution against adversity.
The legal doctrine of sovereign immunity is complex.
He was immune to the subtle manipulation of his rivals.
The island remained immune to the cultural changes of the mainland.
Her logic was immune to his emotional arguments.
The artist was immune to the trends of the fashion world.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"Diplomatic immunity"
Exemption from local laws for diplomats
The ambassador claimed diplomatic immunity.
formal"Build up immunity"
Strengthen defenses
We need to build up immunity.
neutral"Herd immunity"
Group protection
Vaccination helps achieve herd immunity.
formal"Immune to the charms of"
Not influenced by someone's appeal
He was immune to her charms.
literary"Immune from prosecution"
Cannot be charged with a crime
The witness was immune from prosecution.
formal"Immune to change"
Stubbornly staying the same
The old system is immune to change.
neutralEasily Confused
It is the noun form.
Immune is the adjective; immunity is the noun.
I am immune (adj). I have immunity (noun).
It is the verb form.
Immunize is the action of making someone immune.
Doctors immunize patients.
Similar meaning.
Resistant means fighting back; immune means fully protected.
The virus is resistant to drugs.
Similar meaning of 'free from'.
Exempt is usually for rules/taxes; immune is for health/influence.
He is exempt from the test.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + immune + to + noun
He is immune to the cold.
Subject + becomes + immune + to + noun
She becomes immune to the virus.
Subject + is + not + immune + to + noun
We are not immune to change.
Subject + seems + immune + to + noun
They seem immune to his charm.
Subject + remains + immune + to + noun
The system remains immune to attack.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
The preposition 'to' is the only correct choice.
Immune is an adjective, not a verb.
Never use 'of' with immune.
Both are okay, but 'to' is more common.
Immune is an adjective, not a noun.
Tips
The 'To' Rule
Always pair 'immune' with 'to'.
Adjective vs Noun
Don't say 'I have an immune'.
Legal Roots
It started as a tax word!
Word Web
Link it to 'shield' and 'protection'.
Stress Check
Stress the second syllable.
Public Health
It's a key word in vaccine talks.
Mnemonic
I-M-U-N-E: I Must Understand Nothing Enters.
No Plural
Adjectives don't have plurals.
Figurative Use
Use it for people who don't care about criticism.
Contextualize
Read news articles about health.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
I-M-U-N-E: I Must Understand Nothing Enters (my body).
Visual Association
A knight in armor (the armor is the immunity).
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about things you are 'immune' to (like boredom or cold).
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: Exempt from service
Cultural Context
None, but can be a sensitive topic in medical discussions.
Used frequently in public health debates.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At the doctor's office
- Am I immune?
- Do I need a vaccine?
- Is the immunity permanent?
In a debate
- I am immune to your logic.
- That argument is immune to criticism.
In legal settings
- He was granted immunity.
- Is this person immune from prosecution?
In biology class
- The immune system is complex.
- The immune response was triggered.
Conversation Starters
"Are you immune to any specific illnesses?"
"What do you think makes someone immune to social pressure?"
"Do you think vaccines are important for immunity?"
"Can you describe a time you felt immune to someone's bad mood?"
"Is it possible to be immune to everything?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you felt protected.
What does 'immunity' mean to you?
Describe a situation where you felt immune to stress.
Why is it important for a community to have herd immunity?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is an adjective. The verb is immunize.
No, always use 'immune to'.
Immunity.
No, it can mean exempt or unaffected.
Yes, figuratively, if they don't affect you.
Yes, especially in health contexts.
ih-MYOON.
Yes, like resistant or exempt.
Test Yourself
I am ___ to the flu.
We need an adjective here.
What does immune mean?
Immune means protected.
You can be immune to a rule.
It can mean exempt from rules.
Word
Meaning
Adjective vs Noun.
Standard subject-verb-adjective-prep-noun structure.
Score: /5
Summary
To be immune is to be protected, whether from a germ or a negative influence.
- Immune means protected from something.
- Commonly used with 'to'.
- Can refer to health or social situations.
- Noun form is 'immunity'.
The 'To' Rule
Always pair 'immune' with 'to'.
Adjective vs Noun
Don't say 'I have an immune'.
Legal Roots
It started as a tax word!
Word Web
Link it to 'shield' and 'protection'.
Example
Most people are immune to chickenpox after they have had it once.
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Learn it in Context
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