immunity
/ɪˈmjuːnəti/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈmjuːnəti/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈmyü-nə-tē/ (ame, mw)
immunity — noun
1. When your body can fight off a specific illness for a period of time, or when th
When your body can fight off a specific illness for a period of time, or when the law says you cannot be arrested or sued for something.
After Mei-Lin received her second vaccine dose, her body developed strong immunity to the virus.
immunity + to + [disease]
The health department launched a campaign to build herd immunity against measles across the island.
herd immunity against [disease]
Since Dmitri worked at the UN, he claimed diplomatic immunity from local prosecution.
To encourage her full testimony, the judge offered the witness immunity from prosecution.
Babies gain natural immunity from their mother's milk during the first few months.
- protection
broader, less formal; can apply to any kind of safety
- resistance
focuses on the body's active defence; less common for legal contexts
- exemption
specific to legal or tax contexts; suggests being officially excused from a rule
- indemnity
formal, often insurance-related; suggests financial protection against loss
- susceptibility
the condition of being easily affected by a disease or influence
- vulnerability
the quality of being open to harm or attack
文法句型
immunity + to + [disease]
immunity + from + [legal process]
immunity + against + [disease]
用法筆記
Use to before the thing your body fights (to a disease, to a virus). Use from before a legal consequence (from prosecution, from arrest). The noun is usually uncountable but may take an article when modified: a strong immunity, a natural immunity.
常見錯誤
2. A condition in which a person or thing stays unharmed or unchanged by something
A condition in which a person or thing stays unharmed or unchanged by something upsetting, unpleasant, or damaging, even though it would normally have a bad effect.
Dmitri built immunity to the constant noise from the construction site outside his window.
build up immunity to [annoyance]
After years of public speaking, Amara developed a strange immunity to stage fright and nervousness.
develop immunity to [psychological effect]
The expensive watch had a special coating that gave it immunity against everyday scratches.
The luxury brand's loyal customers give it a natural immunity from sudden drops in sales.
Fatima watched the argument with strange immunity, as if angry words could not reach her.
- resilience
focuses on the ability to recover quickly from difficulties
- insusceptibility
formal, scientific; suggests something has no effect at all
- invulnerability
stronger tone; suggests complete safety from harm
- susceptibility
the condition of being easily affected or influenced
- vulnerability
the quality of being open to harm or emotional pain
文法句型
immunity + to + [effect/influence]
immunity + against + [damage]
用法筆記
This sense is metaphorical, describing emotional, social, or physical resilience rather than literal biological or legal protection. The most common preposition is to (immunity to criticism, immunity to pressure), but against also appears for physical damage.