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immune

adjective
im·​mune | \ i-ˈmyün How to pronounce immune (audio) \

Definition of immune

1a : free, exempt immune from further taxation
b : marked by protection some criminal leaders are immune from arrest
2 : not susceptible or responsive immune to all pleas especially : having a high degree of resistance to a disease immune to diphtheria
3a : having or producing antibodies or lymphocytes capable of reacting with a specific antigen an immune serum
b : produced by, involved in, or concerned with immunity or an immune response immune agglutinins immune globulins
Other Words from immune Is it immune from or immune to? More Example Sentences Learn More about immune

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Other Words from immune

immune noun

Is it immune from or immune to?

Many people find themselves confused about which preposition, to or from, to use after the word immune. The traditional wisdom of usage commentators is that you become immune to a disease or a drug (such as HIV or antibiotics) but immune from an obligation (such as a taxation) or something that can happen to you (such as prosecution). But some say that the choice of preposition depends on the relationship between the affecting thing and the object being affected. According to Bryan Garner in Modern English Usage, for example, “What you’re immune from can’t touch you; what you’re immune to may touch you, but it has no effect.” So if you are immune from prosecution, the prosecutor cannot go after you; if you are immune to a suitor’s charms, the suitor can keep wooing you, but it would be to no avail.

Actual usage shows that there are no perfectly clear-cut rules. One can, for example, be immune to legal consequences or be immune from typhoid. The best advice, then, might be to follow your own ear.

Examples of immune in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 One medium peach supplies over 15% of the daily goal for vitamin C. Several types of immune cells need this nutrient for their production, function, and protection. — Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health.com, "8 Health Benefits of Peaches," 7 Aug. 2019 In the earlier stages of MS, immune cells attack the nervous system, causing damage that can lead to disability. — Nara Schoenberg, chicagotribune.com, "‘I want to talk about it’: College student from Riverside gets the same cutting-edge multiple sclerosis treatment as actress Selma Blair," 5 Aug. 2019 Rituximab, which was also one of three drugs in the chemoimmunotherapy treatment, targets a receptor found among immune cells like those in CLL. — Michael Nedelman, CNN, "Chemo-free drug combo shows 'dramatic' improvement against common leukemia in adults," 31 July 2019 The hope centered around two popular biologic drugs — Enbrel and Remicade — that work by inhibiting TNF, a protein produced by immune cells and other cells in the body that cause inflammation. — John Fauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Researchers hoped these drugs could reverse heart failure. Instead, patients' risk of death rose.," 18 July 2019 Drugs that influence the brain’s immune cells, called microglia, are attracting renewed attention. — Washington Post, The Denver Post, "Colorado Alzheimer’s researchers shift focus after failures; begin testing leukemia medicine as treatment," 6 July 2019 Drugs that influence the brain’s immune cells, called microglia, are attracting renewed attention. — Christopher Rowland, Washington Post, "Alzheimer’s research is getting a reboot at small companies focused on the immune system," 5 July 2019 Tests on monkeys suggested the hormone in the shot, progestin, might thin the protective vaginal mucus or make immune cells in the vaginal tract replicate H.I.V. more quickly. — New York Times, "Depo-Provera, an Injectable Contraceptive, Does Not Raise H.I.V. Risk," 13 June 2019 Laila Anderson, 11, who suffers from a rare, life-threatening disease that results in the body making too many immune cells, had adopted the Blues, especially defenseman Colton Parayko, and the Blues adopted her. — Kevin Allen, USA TODAY, "Laila Anderson, 11-year-old St. Louis Blues superfan, joins team in Stanley Cup celebration," 13 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'immune.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of immune

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for immune

Middle English, from Latin immunis, from in- + munia services, obligations; akin to Latin munus service — more at mean

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More Definitions for immune

immune

adjective
How to pronounce immune (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of immune

: not capable of being affected by a disease
: not influenced or affected by something
: having special protection from something that is required for most people by law

See the full definition for immune in the English Language Learners Dictionary

immune

adjective
im·​mune | \ i-ˈmyün How to pronounce immune (audio) \

Kids Definition of immune

1 : having a high degree of resistance to an illness or disease
2 : of, relating to, or involving the body's immune system an immune response
3 : not influenced or affected by something She is immune to criticism.
4 : not subject to something : exempt They are immune from punishment.

immune

adjective
im·​mune | \ im-ˈyün How to pronounce immune (audio) \

Medical Definition of immune

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : not susceptible or responsive especially : having a high degree of resistance to a disease immune to diphtheria
2a : having or producing antibodies or lymphocytes capable of reacting with a specific antigen an immune serum
b : produced by, involved in, or concerned with immunity or an immune response immune agglutinins

immune

noun

Medical Definition of immune (Entry 2 of 2)

: an immune individual

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