What does "immunity" mean?
The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:; Protective resistance against disease.
Immunity
/ɪˈmjuːnəti/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:; Protective resistance against disease.
- Grammar: immunity is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: exemption, resistance, absolution, acquired immunity.
- Useful contrasts: criminal statute liability, penal provision, accountability.
- Usage evidence: Members of parliament deserve immunity and a paid salary to guarantee their independence.
How to use "immunity"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "immunity" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "immunity" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "immunity" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "immunity" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "immunity" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "exemption" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "immunity", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:; Protective resistance against disease. countable, uncountable
"Some people have better immunity to diseases than others."
- 2 an act exempting someone wordnet
- 3 The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:; An exemption from specified duties, such as payments or services. countable, uncountable
"Feudal privileges often included tax and other immunities."
- 4 the quality of being unaffected by something wordnet
- 5 The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:; An exemption from prosecution. countable, uncountable
"The prosecutor offered the lieutenant immunity for all the crimes he would testify having known to be planned by the elusive drug baron."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 the state of not being susceptible wordnet
- 7 The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:; An exemption from penance. countable, uncountable
"Nevertheless, his reason rebelled, and his sense of religion by no means allowed the justice of refusing the amiable, handsome, and wealthy Englishman, whom his sweet child preferred, and who was perfectly willing that the signora should enjoy all the liberty required by her conscience and her church, together with such sums as should, from time to time, purchase the prayers of the faithful, and all other immunities, so far as his fortune furnished the means."
- 8 (medicine) the condition in which an organism can resist disease wordnet
- 9 The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:; An exemption given to a player from losing or being withdrawn from play. countable, uncountable
"After winning the last round the player was granted immunity which allowed him to stay in the game even after receiving the fewest points."
- 10 A resistance to a specific thing. countable
"Superbugs are bacteria that develop an immunity to antibiotics."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Members of parliament deserve immunity and a paid salary to guarantee their independence."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "immunity"?
Common synonyms include: exemption, resistance, absolution, acquired immunity, active immunity, amnesty.
How do you use "immunity" in a sentence?
Members of parliament deserve immunity and a paid salary to guarantee their independence.
How do you pronounce "immunity"?
Pronounced /ɪˈmjuːnəti/.
Etymology
From Middle English immunite, from Old French immunité, from Latin immūnitās, in the legal sense; for the medical use see immunization. Equivalent to immune + -ity.