WordValeimmunity
legal protection from prosecution or liability
the body's ability to resist infection
In more detail
1. (noun) the ability of the body to resist and fight disease by producing substances that destroy harmful bacteria or viruses
2. (noun) the state of being protected from something unwanted, especially punishment or legal action
Examples
- 1. Regular exercise helps build immunity against common infections.
- 2. The former president was granted immunity from prosecution.
How to use immunity
Immunity has two primary contexts: medical (referring to the body's ability to fight disease) and legal/political (protection from consequences). In medical contexts, it typically collocates with 'to' or 'against' a disease; in legal contexts, it collocates with 'from' a consequence. The term is used in both technical and everyday speech.
Common phrases
- build immunity
- develop immunity
- immunity to disease
- immunity from prosecution
- boost immunity
- acquire immunity
Synonyms
resistance · protection · exemption · impunity · defense
Opposites
susceptibility · vulnerability · liability
Word family
immune (adjective) · immunize (verb) · immunization (noun) · immunology (noun) · immunologist (noun)
A common mistake
Learners often confuse the two meanings and may use 'immunity from disease' when 'immunity to disease' or 'resistance to disease' is more standard. Also, some learners incorrectly use 'immune' as a noun instead of the adjective form.
Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.
Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD