What's the difference between 'acquired immunity' and 'innate immunity'?

Innate immunity is the non-specific, immediate defence you are born with (e.g., skin, macrophages). Acquired immunity is specific, develops over days after exposure to an antigen, and involves memory lymphocytes.

Can you have 'acquired immunity' without being sick?

Yes, this is the principle behind vaccination. Vaccines safely expose the immune system to an antigen, stimulating the development of acquired immunity without causing the full-blown disease.

Is 'herd immunity' a type of acquired immunity?

Herd immunity is a population-level concept. It results when a high percentage of individuals in a community have acquired immunity (either from vaccination or past infection), indirectly protecting those who are not immune.

How long does acquired immunity last?

It varies by pathogen and individual. It can be lifelong (e.g., measles) or last for only a few years (e.g., tetanus, requiring booster shots). Memory cells are key to its longevity.

acquired immunity

C1-C2 / Specialized

UK/əˈkwaɪəd ɪˈmjuːnəti/US/əˈkwaɪərd ɪˈmjuːnəti/

Formal, Technical (Medicine, Biology, Immunology)

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

An immunity that the body develops after exposure to a disease-causing agent or after vaccination, involving the adaptive immune system (lymphocytes, antibodies) and featuring immunological memory.

In a figurative sense, can refer to a developed resistance or tolerance to something non-physical, such as criticism, stress, or a particular situation.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Specifically contrasts with 'innate immunity'. The process of acquisition can be 'active' (from infection/vaccine) or 'passive' (from antibodies transferred from mother or via serum).

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning. Spelling follows standard conventions (e.g., 'immunise/immunize').

Connotations

Equally formal and technical in both dialects.

Frequency

Used with identical frequency in relevant professional/academic contexts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

develop acquired immunitylong-lasting acquired immunityconfer acquired immunitymediated by acquired immunity

medium

acquired immunity againstacquired immunity tospecific acquired immunityrequires acquired immunity

weak

her acquired immunitysome acquired immunitythrough acquired immunity

Grammar

Valency Patterns

acquired immunity to + NOUN (disease, pathogen)acquired immunity against + NOUN (infection, virus)acquire immunity to + NOUN

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Neutral

adaptive immunityspecific immunity

Weak

developed resistance

Vocabulary

Antonyms

innate immunitynatural immunitynon-specific immunity

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“He's built up an acquired immunity to office politics.”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Not typical. Potentially metaphorical, e.g., 'The market has acquired an immunity to small interest rate changes.'

Academic

Central concept in immunology, microbiology, and medicine. Discussed in terms of cellular (T-cell) and humoral (B-cell/antibody) responses.

Everyday

Rare. Might be used when discussing vaccination or a recent illness.

Technical

Precise term describing the antigen-specific, memory-based immune response.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

The patient acquired immunity after surviving the measles.
Vaccinations are designed to help the body acquire immunity safely.

American English

The child acquired immunity to chickenpox after the infection.
You acquire immunity through exposure or immunization.

adverb

British English

The protection is acquiredly, not naturally, present.
(Note: Extremely rare; 'acquiredly' is non-standard)

American English

Immunity was acquiredly developed over months. (Note: Extremely rare; 'acquiredly' is non-standard)

adjective

British English

The acquired immune response is highly specific.
They studied acquired immunodeficiency syndromes.

American English

Acquired immune defenses are slower but more targeted.
It's an acquired characteristic of the immune system.

Examples

By CEFR Level

Vaccines help your body get acquired immunity.
After having chickenpox, you usually have acquired immunity.

The study compared innate and acquired immunity in different populations.
Acquired immunity is characterized by memory cells that remember specific pathogens.

Passive acquired immunity, such as that from maternal antibodies, is temporary but provides immediate protection.
The efficacy of the new drug was measured by its ability to stimulate robust, antigen-specific acquired immunity.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: ACQUIRED = you ACQUIRE it through experience (infection) or a QUIRKY doctor (vaccine). It's not inborn.

Conceptual Metaphor

IMMUNITY IS A SHIELD (that is built/acquired over time). KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE IS IMMUNITY ('acquired immunity to propaganda').

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid literal translation that implies 'purchased' or 'bought' immunity. The focus is on 'developing' or 'obtaining through experience'. Russian equivalent: 'приобретённый иммунитет'.

Common Mistakes

Confusing 'acquired' with 'innate'. Using 'got immunity' in formal writing. Misspelling 'immunity'. Incorrect preposition: 'immunity for' instead of 'immunity to/against'.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Unlike the general defences you are born with, develops after your immune system encounters a specific threat.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a key feature of acquired immunity?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Innate immunity is the non-specific, immediate defence you are born with (e.g., skin, macrophages). Acquired immunity is specific, develops over days after exposure to an antigen, and involves memory lymphocytes.
: Yes, this is the principle behind vaccination. Vaccines safely expose the immune system to an antigen, stimulating the development of acquired immunity without causing the full-blown disease.
: Herd immunity is a population-level concept. It results when a high percentage of individuals in a community have acquired immunity (either from vaccination or past infection), indirectly protecting those who are not immune.
: It varies by pathogen and individual. It can be lifelong (e.g., measles) or last for only a few years (e.g., tetanus, requiring booster shots). Memory cells are key to its longevity.