immune

Everyday

1. Immune means protected from an illness, so you cannot easily catch it, usually because your body has fought it before or you had a vaccine. tree →
2. Immune to something means not affected by it (immune to criticism). tree →
3. Immune from something means officially free from it (immune from punishment). tree →

In the lessons

In science and health lessons, the immune system is the body's defence against germs: white blood cells fight infections, and vaccines help the body become immune. In everyday life, people say they are immune to a joke or a noise when it no longer bothers them. Phrases: immune system, immune to, become immune.

Examples

• After having chickenpox, most people are immune to it. tree →
• Your immune system fights germs that get into your body. tree →
• Vaccines help people become immune to some diseases. tree →
• Eating well and sleeping well help keep your immune system strong. tree →
• The teacher seemed immune to our excuses. tree →
• Some bacteria have become immune to certain medicines. tree →

Note

Usually «immune to» something (an illness or effect). Noun: immunity. Verb: immunise / immunize (to give a vaccine). Not every illness gives immunity; being immune is not the same as never being ill.